Luis Shecker Ortiz, spokesman for civic group Participacion Ciudadana, is once more criticizing the way in which private interests are prevailing over the common good, as far as Congress is concerned. As reported in El Caribe, Shecker commented on the ‘spurious negotiations’ that have reportedly taken place whereby the deputies have decided to pass the budget, including a RD$1.8 billion allocation for the metro construction, in exchange for funds for their own non-governmental agencies. Shecker, who was interviewed on “Despierta con CDN”, was also critical of the alliances between political parties for the same reason – putting their interests above the national good. He said that these alliances have nothing to do with sharing national visions or programs for the country, and everything to do with the distribution of positions in government. He commented that these alliances do not benefit the population, and neither do they contribute to creating political leadership.