CDN TV reported on the chaotic dueling of the already very
discredited legislature, known more as a marketplace for personal profit. On the
morning of Saturday, 16 August, as the Chamber of Deputies sought to elect its
new board of directors, the president of the Chamber, Rafaela (Lila)
Alburquerque (PRSC-San Pedro de Macoris) hung on with the support of the PPH
faction of the PRD and President Hip?lito Mej?a. The post is important because
the president of the Chamber sets the agenda for the legislative meetings.
Negotiations with President Mej?a on Friday did not succeed in convincing the
PRD spokesman in the Chamber, Alberto Pacheco (PRD-Santo Domingo), to abandon
his aspirations to preside over the Chamber. Mej?a, supported the continued
reign of Alburquerque, who in his first three years in government has given the
green light to practically anything hailing from the Presidency, despite Pacheco
being of his own party. A third candidate, Victor (Ito) Bison?, sought the
presidency for the PRSC, but did not obtain the endorsement of the leading
faction of the party.
The fight in Congress intensified the division of the PRSC between those seen to
stand for La Casa and those supporting former Vice President Jacinto Peynado.
On the morning of Saturday, 16 August Alburquerque attempted to delay the start
of the session to choose the new board, understanding that she did not have
enough votes to get reelected. She cited that the electronic bulletin board for
recording votes was not functioning. But the deputies did not feel this was a
good enough excuse.
A good reason came when the lights went out. Alburquerque called a postponement
of the session and retreated, after the blackout left the hall in darkness.
Pacheco accused thugs acting on instructions from legal advisor Guido G?mez
Mazara of having fired the shots to the interior electricity breakers box that
cut the service from the Chamber of Deputies.
The PRD supporters of Alberto Pacheco got out their flashlights [apparently they
suspected this could happen] and remained. As per regulation, the oldest
legislator is allowed to open a session, but Anibal Paez (PRSC-Santo Domingo)
instead called for the session to be postponed to 6 pm that evening and he too
left the hall. Four shots were heard next and the deputies ran for cover. But
Felipa G?mez (PRD-Santo Domingo) assumed control and opened the session, in
which a vote was called and certified by a notary public.
El Caribe reports that 75 of 118 deputies who originally signed in for the
session voted for Pacheco.
News sources reported that PPH negotiators, such as legal advisor to the
President Guido Gomez Mazara and Agriculture Minister Eligio J?quez, were at the
Congress. While neither part of the protocolar ceremony, the president of the
PRSC Rafael Bello Andino was also there for the last-minute lobbying.
TV news commentator Ram?n N??ez said the situation is a warning of the extreme
lengths fanatic political supporters could resort to in their quest to retain
power.
Following the perfunctory election of Pacheco, President Mej?a withdrew his
support of Alburquerque. Jaquez told Diario Libre that the election of Pacheco
is not a negative for Mej?a, despite the original commitment Mej?a had made to
back Alburquerque. Pacheco is known as a strong supporter of President Mej?a?s
re-election.
Pacheco ordered the opening of normal sessions for Tuesday at 9 am.