A leak led to local outrage when it was revealed that the director of the Social Plan, Iris Guaba, had ordered government-paid influencers to go after independent journalists. The matter nevertheless did not die there. TV journalist Nuria Piera took advantage of the new interest to take a closer look at the Social Plan entity for her Saturday and Monday weekly show on Channel 9.
She revealed on her TV show that there is widespread distribution of government Social Plan gift boxes and other items to legislators of many political parties, not just the government party. Government entities, high-ranking government officers, and influential journalists all have received the gift boxes at different times. It is up to these individuals to then to distribute the gift boxes at their own discretion.
Piera provided evidence that legislators of the ruling Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) receive the most gift items, but thousands are allotted to legislators of allied political parties, and also to those of the opposition. Politicians of the Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRD), Social Christian Reformist Party (PRSC), Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM), the Frente Amplio and Fuerza del Pueblo, judges, and journalists are on the list. Piera points out that opposition legislators receive around 40% of what is allocated to government legislators. She said all are then “validating the irregular and whimsical way of wasting taxpayer money. “ The Social Plan budget in 2019 was RD$3.5 billion for the social assistance programs.
In another take on the political patronage going on, sociologist Juan Miguel Perez commented on the widespread reach Nuria Piera unveiled when interviewed for the La Cuestion radio talk show on La Super 7 FM. He said the complicity has bred the complacency of all political sectors to the matter. He said the situation is normal and perceived by many as part of the role of legislators and other beneficiaries. “The problem is the discretionary power and perverse commerce that is going on to buy loyalties,” he remarked.
After the scandal of the RD$380 million Social Plan purchase of household goods spread on social media, the PRM protested, calling for the Central Electoral Board (JCE) to put a stop to the distribution days before the municipal election. The president of the JCE reacted by recommending the government stop the practice “motus proprio.”
As it stands, the Social Plan director Iris Guaba says the procurement for household appliances is normal and legal. The general complicity of political opposition and many journalists backs up this general perception.
Meanwhile, the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) has acted to summon President Danilo Medina to a hearing on 11 February 2020 regarding government assistance. The Frente Amplio is asking the President to explain why the Social Plan has held a tender for RD$66 million to purchase construction material when this item is not on the Social Plan budget. Also an explanation is sought for the RD$380 million purchase of appliances when the 2020 National Budget for the entire year just contemplates RD$357 million in this chapter. Frente Amplio is also requesting the President to explain the tender for RD$500 million for food and beverage that is 47% of the RD$1.04 billion budget for the entire 2020, when there has not been a catastrophe or extraordinary situation. The Frente Amplio is has also received gift boxes from the Social Plan.
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La Cuestion
11 February 2020