Vice-President Milagros Ortiz Bosch, currently standing in as President while Hipolito Mejia is abroad, emitted a presidential decree to exonerate the duties owed for the 25,000 school desks being held in the Port of Haina. This marks the 37th time Ortiz Bosch has held the title of “acting” President. The desks had been imported for public schools, but customs was holding them back, demanding import taxes and other charges. El Caribe newspaper editorial says that the exoneration of school furniture should be the norm, not the exception.
When asked about her job and the possibility of a woman occupying the Presidency for a full term, Ortiz Bosch said that President Mejia is a boss, but she would be a statesperson. Ortiz Bosch took a leave of absence from her job as Minister of Education to actively campaign for the PRD presidential candidacy in the 2004 May election.