Three recent government appointments have caught everyone by surprise. President Luis Abinader named three deputies that had just won their seats for the Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM) in the 5 July congressional election to positions in his government. These are Josefa Castillo (elected PRM-Santo Domingo province), Nelson Arroyo (elected PRM-San Pedro de Macoris) and Olmedo Caba Romano (elected PRM-Duarte province
The rules say the political party will name three candidates to replace those who leave the position. The Chamber of Deputies will then vote to decide the person that gets the seat in Congress. The PRM has a simple majority in the Chamber of Deputies.
Along with then Puerto Plata José Ignacio Paliza, Josefa Castillo had represented the Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM) in the National Council of the Magistracy (CNM). She is now named to be the country’s Superintendent of Insurance. She replaces Euclides Gutierrez, who been in the position for 20 years.
In addition to Josefa Castillo, also leaving an elected post in the Chamber of Deputies is Nelson de Jesus Arroyo Perdomo (PRM-Duarte province) who was named to preside the board of directors at the Dominican Telecommunications Institute (Indotel)
Olmedo Caba Romano, who had elected deputy for the PRM for the Duarte province (San Francisco de Macoris) is named to the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources (INDRHI). Caba had been elected for a third term in the Chamber of Deputies. He was the most voted deputy for the province. At the INDRHI, he replaces Olgo Fernandez who had been in the position since 2012.
La Cuestion radio talk show host, Patricia Solano criticized the appointments. She said there was a right way to do things. She remarked that Puerto Plata senator, Jose Ignacio Paliza, for example, knowing he was likely to take a position in the new government, resigned to let another senator run for office. He was appointed administrative minister of the Presidency. Same happened with Gloria Reyes, who would have won her seat, but chose to resign from running for deputy to take a government job. She was appointed to the Progresando con Solidaridad government agency. Solano criticized the politicians’ letting down their voters by taking jobs in government after being elected.
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Diario Libre
El Nuevo Diario
17 August 2020