Incoming senators will once again have access to their “barrilito” (little barrel), a local term for discretionary funds critics call slush funds. According to Listin Diario, the program costs the government over RD$21 million monthly.
The “social management fund,” created in 2006 by then-Senate president, the late Reynaldo Pared Perez (National District-PLD), provides legislators extra money on top of their salaries. Allocations range from RD$609,000 for Independencia province to RD$1,059,000 for the National District, with distribution or use of these funds at the discretion of each senator.
While intended for social assistance, there are no regulations or oversight on how the funds are spent. Several senators in the last term (2020-24), including Eduardo Estrella, Faride Raful, Antonio Taveras, and deputy Jose Horacio Rodriguez, refused the money on the grounds that legislators are not constitutionally mandated to carry out social service works.
Of those who did not receive the slush fund, only senator Antonio Taveras (Santo Domingo province- PRM) will return as a senator for 2024-28.
So far, none of the incoming senators have announced they will turn down the funds.
Dagoberto Rodriguez of Independencia province told Listin Diario he uses the money for its intended purpose, citing weekend surgeries for the underprivileged. Dr. Daniel Rivera, the new senator for Santiago, sees the funds supporting health, sports, education, and foundations. Ginette Bournigal of Puerto Plata appreciates the ability to offer quicker assistance than government bureaucracies.
Omar Fernandez, son of former President Leonel Fernandez, expressed reservations but says he will take the money. He called the funds a “distortion” and advocated for transparency. His predecessor, Faride Raful, initially began to accept the money but later declined the perk.
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Diario Libre
Diario Libre
Listin Diario
10 June 2024