Citizen Participation, the local representative of Transparency International in the Dominican Republic, called for Congress to exercise its role for the control and oversight of the extraordinary powers granted to the Executive Branch by the National Congress during the state of emergency. The civic watch dog organization reminded the legislators that they are responsible for overseeing public resources use on behalf of the Dominican people, especially at times like the present. The Dominican Republic declared a state of emergency on 20 March 2020.
Business people and opposition party members have presented widespread evidence of irregularities in government procurement, especially of medical supplies. In response, the Public Health Minister Dr. Rafael Sánchez Cárdenas stated on Friday, 17 April that the state of emergency enables the government to make the necessary purchases without complying with the procurement norms.
Nevertheless, spokespeople for Citizen Participation say that the President of the Republic is not exempt from complying with the law. The watchdog organization says only one report has been presented to the bicameral committee set up to monitor the emergency purchases.
“Surprisingly and shamefully, the National Congress has stopped its sessions for fear of contagion, when each chamber can choose a room where the necessary distance can be kept between legislators, and take other protection measures that are safer than those provided to health personnel who risk their lives every day without the compensation that congressmen have,” states Citizen Participation.
The organization says that apparently some people are trying to get rich illegally by taking indiscriminate advantage of the extraordinary powers granted to government. “Congress should have immediately called on those responsible to account for the actions,” stated Citizen Participation.
The organization says that the oversight work should be extended to monitor the actions and policies implemented by the relief programs, such as Stay at Home and the Employee Solidarity Assistance Fund (FASE).
“The absenteeism of senators and deputies, especially in the control and supervision of the powers granted to the head of the nation, is a denial of the due representation granted to him by the voters. Participación Ciudadana reaffirms its commitment to remain firm in monitoring public policies in times of pandemic, to prevent the risks of corruption; and calls on citizens to follow the hygiene and social distancing measures to preserve their integrity, that of their families and all those around them,” concluded the National Council of PC in a press release.
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Noticias SIN
20 April 2020