Before leaving for Argentina to attend the Latin America and Caribbean (CELAC) Summit, President Luis Abinader signed Decree 15-23 that removes and shifts several in key positions in his government.
Abinader sent Catalino Correa Hiciano, who had served since his start of government as Comptroller General, to direct the general of the Social Subsidies Administration (Adess), that manages billions in social programs. He named Felix Antonio Santana Garcia, the new Comptroller General.
Félix Antonio Santana García had been the director general of Government Accounting (DIGECOG). He holds a degree in accounting from the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo. He holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from Atlantic International University in Miami.
Rómulo Victirbio Francisco Arias Moscat is named to replace Santana Garcia as director general of Government Accounting (DIGECOG).
Abinader appointed his director of the Passport Agency (DGP) Nestor Julio Cruz Pichardo to now be the consul general of the Republic in Panama. In Cruz Pichardo’s place he named Digna Reynoso. The Passports Agency had been in the headlines for delays in securing passport booklets. The scarcity in passports had to be temporarily resolved with the extending for six months of expired passports. Digna Reynoso had been the director general of the Social Subsidies Administration (Adess).
The same Decree 15-23 names TV host and movie comedian Roberto Angel Salcedo (Robertico) to replace Jose Leonel (Neney) Cabrera at the Strategic and Special Projects of the Presidency Agency (Propeep). Reportedly Cabrera had resigned after numerous media reports of major irregularities at the Propeep agency that handles billions in projects. Salcedo is the son of TV host and former Santo Domingo mayor Roberto Salcedo.
The decree instructs Jose Leonel Cabrera (Neney), in his capacity as minister without portfolio, to follow up on the fulfillment of the objectives of the public policies outlined by the Executive Branch.
Pedro Antonio Quezada Cepeda, who was in charge of the Government Office of Information and Communication Technologies (OGTIC), is named rector of the Instituto Técnico Superior Comunitario de San Luis (ITSC).
The decree appoints Francisco Vegazo Ramírez advisor to the Presidency of the Republic in matters of higher education. He was previously head of the Instituto Técnico Superior Comunitario de San Luis (ITSC). The ITSC has been in the media for reported irregularities.
Bartolomé Yaque Pujals Suárez, who has been the executive director of the Innovation Cabinet since May 2021, is named the director of the Government Office of Information and Communication Technologies (OGTIC). Pujals is a former candidate to mayor of Santo Domingo for Alianza Pais.
Pujals will continue with his role as executive director of the Innovation Cabinet, in an honorary capacity, the decree states.
Manuel Hipócrates Conde Cabrera and José Pedro Díaz González are appointed members of the Unified Council of the Electricity Distribution Companies.
President Abinader replaced three provincial governors. The new governors are:
Magalis Tabar Manzur in El Seibo province, replacing Irene Martinez.
Genara Gonzalez Marmolejos in Barahona province, replacing Diones Maribel Gonzalez.
And Adela Mercedes Tejada Gil de Rosario was appointed governor of Monseñor Nouel province. She replaces Raquel Jiménez. In addition to her functions as governor, Tejada is designated interim president of the Executive Commission of the Council for the Development of Monseñor Nouel Province, in an honorary capacity, according to the presidential decree.
Read more in Spanish:
Presidency
Listin Diario
Listin Diario
Listin Diario
El Dia
N Digital
24 January 2023