The president of the Senate, Eduardo Estrella says he is confident the Senate will not pass an Extinction of Domain Bill that is a custom-made suit for corrupt government officers or drug traffickers to keep illicitly obtained assets, as has been happening now.
“Any legislator has the freedom and the right to submit any bill and go to a committee to debate on the law, but I do not think there is any possibility of that, there are people in Congress who are clear about our role and our role,” said Estrella.
Two bills have been submitted to the Senate for discussions – one by Felix Bautista (FP-San Juan de la Maguana) and another by Antonio Taveras (PRM-Santo Domingo). A major difference marks the two. The bill submitted by Bautista is not retroactive.
Estrella also said he was optimistic the Penal Code review would pass in this legislative session. He also gave his opinion that military courts should judge military issues, but civil and criminal cases should be heard by regular civil and criminal courts. Last year, the Ministry of Defense sent a letter to the Chamber of Deputies requesting an amendment of the present Penal Code to restore military courts to hear all cases involving military.
“The time has come for there to be no untouchables in the country,” said Estrella. He said the President of the Republic has given clear signs that this is the way to go. “We have to be transparent and clear,” he said.
Estrella backed simplifying the Procurement Agency law so that it is more flexible. He also favors amending the Chamber of Accounts law to combat corruption and increase transparency.
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El Dia
N Digital
DR1 News
28 September 2021