2006 – Page 266

According to Cardinal Lopez Rodriguez, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Santo Domingo, the Central Electoral Board (JCE) was “born in original sin” and had the judges been selected in another manner, we would not be lamenting the current situation. The Cardinal was interviewed in the Presidential Palace. He stated that the JCE has the obligation to …

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PRD and PRSC presidents Ramon Alburquerque and Federico Antun Batlle are considered to be potential Presidential candidates for 2008. These nominations would require modifications of both parties’ by-laws, which currently prohibit main party leaders from seeking elective positions. Both were interested in running for President three years ago but neither obtained their party’s nomination. Diario …

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Former director of the Department of Migration Miguel Vasquez has been sentenced to two years in jail. The ruling came from Seventh Penal Court judge Margarita Paredes. Vasquez is a PRD congressional deputy candidate in the 16 May election. The sentence bans him from running for office in the congressional election. He was sentenced for …

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Early today, the police captured the alleged leader of Los Zayayines gang, Vladimir (“El Vla”) Pujols Alvarez in the southwestern province of Azua, according to spokesman Simon Diaz. Pujols, who has been a fugitive from justice for over a year, is accused of killing journalist Juan Andujar and committing a series of other crimes. Diario …

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Yesterday, Cardinal Lopez Rodriguez restated his opposition to homosexuality, warning also that “nobody is going to stop me from speaking out about this issue”, according to a report by Diario Libre. He emphasized that whenever ideas related to homosexuality or lesbianism show up in public debate, he will always protest with a radically opposed position. …

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Two Colombians and one Venezuelan who are accused of smuggling 39 kilos of cocaine seized in October 2005, were sent to trial by the National District First Court of Instruction. Judge Roman Berroa Hiciano made the decision affecting Colombians Jaime Ordonez, Mario Magmuth, and Venezuelan Reunaldo Enrique Avarce Arrollo for having found sufficient evidence for …

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The National Tobacco Institute (INTABACO) incinerated 10,085 boxes full of counterfeit cigars said to be worth RD$20 million. This was done in Santiago in the presence of Acting Attorney General Rodolfo Espineira and INTABACO officials. Also incinerated were insignia and other items such as trademark rings, trims, graphic art negatives, labels, and crystal tubes. The …

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Center for Emergency Operations staff and the rescue unit of the Civil Aviation Board are combing the southwest for a missing Cesna 172 that departed La Isabela Airport at 11:23 am yesterday on its way to the Barahona international Airport. On board were pilots Eduardo Solis, Francisco Hernandez, Marcos Arias and Jorge Sanchez. Private and …

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This summer, the Punta Cana Group envisions the start of the most comprehensive private sector effort in the Caribbean to restore the area’s coral reefs with the aim of turning them into a major attraction. The Punta Cana reef is a stretch of 16 million square meters of coral formations. The Punta Cana Ecological Foundation …

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The National Botanical Gardens is hosting its annual orchid exhibition this weekend. The 34th Exhibition and 24th Orchid Contest 2006 will be held at the Grand Domus of the Botanical Gardens starting this Friday, 31 March. It is organized by the Dominican Orchid Society. Orchids are part of the Dominican Republic’s original flora. The Botanical …

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