Former Alianza Pais candidate to mayor for the National District, lawyer Bartolomé Pujals has accepted a position to serve as advisor to President Luis Abinader. At 34-years, Pujals did not win the capital city mayor position, but his campaign was very well received. His participation in the mayor debates was outstanding. The news of the appointment was leaked. It explained he is now on payroll of the Presidency, making around RD$200,000 a month.
Pujals tweeted in defense of criticism that he had sold out to government. He confirmed he had taken a position as advisor on innovation policies and innovative social projects. “The President invited me to share my ideas, my vision, my proposals with his government and since I believe in and have been trained for public service, I accepted,” he tweeted.
He stated: “We advisors do not have to be on the front line. We do not execute. We coordinate, articulate, help build consensus, contribute other perspectives, facilitate dialogue. Having the opportunity to play this role is a great personal and professional experience for me.”
He assured his followers that just because he is an advisor to President Luis Abinader does not mean he will give up his activism or social struggles. “Whoever wants to believe that because of my status as advisor, I will stop advocating and fighting for the things I believe in, has that right, but know that it is a duty that I will never give up.”
“Where you can be sure that you will not find me is in acts of corruption or being part of mafias or networks to embezzle the state,” Pujals concluded.
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N Digital
Diario Libre
20 May 2021