Guido G?mez Mazara, the President?s legal advisor, told reporters from Hoy newspaper that he is against some of the oldest laws on the books. He referred to these laws as being ?Trujillista?, or pertaining to the times of dictator Rafael L. Trujillo. Among the laws to be submitted for amendment within the next 90 days are those that oblige the President to sign the exequatur of every professional in the fields of engineering, architecture, law and medicine. Without this formal, presidential recognition of a university degree, professionals in these fields cannot practice their trades. Also pending action is the law that obliges the President to approve every request for a legal change of name. G?mez Mazara said that hundreds of requests arrive every day at the legal counsel?s office. Both applications of the law were used by Trujillo to control people by granting ?favors? or showing his disapproval. One of the Mirabal sisters famously had her exequatur taken away by the dictator.
Another headache for the legal counsel is the official recognition of the NGOs under Law 520, which dates back to the 1920s. The incorporation of non-profit organizations brings hundreds of requests every day to G?mez Mazara?s office, which he called ?incredible.?