Senator Pedro Catrain (PRM-Samana) read the favorable opinion of the bicameral committee that studied the Extinction of Domain Bill for the Civil Forfeiture of Illicit Goods. The committee studied separate proposals, one presented by senator Felix Bautista (FP-San Juan de la Maguana), and others by Antonio Taveras (PRM-Santo Domingo) and Aris Yván Lorenzo (PLD-Elías Piña) and José Del Castillo Saviñón (PLD-Barahona).
The bill now moves to the floor of the Senate. Once it passes, it moves to the Chamber of Deputies for approval. The bill was first presented to Congress in 2011. The US Embassy has been lobbying for its passing.
A major snag in the approval is the retroactivity of the extent of the bill articles.
Since May 2021, work sessions were held with more than 20 meetings, in which jurists, international consultants and representatives of the public and private sectors participated, including public hearings where the citizens were summoned to analyze the issue.
Senator Catrain reiterated the bill provisions would apply in cases where it is proven that assets were acquired through the commission of crimes. Catrain defended that the state cannot protect assets acquired outside the legal framework.
The latest discussions are on whether the bill is organic or regular. If it is organic two-thirds of those present are required for it to pass. If it is regular, then a simple majority of 50% + 1 is needed.
Meanwhile, the Senate has yet to place the bill on its agenda. President of the Senate Eduardo Estrella has backed the passing of the bill.
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Noticias SIN
N Digital
El Dia
Diario Libre
N Digital
7 July 2022