Flavio Dario Espinal, the legal advisor to the President of the Republic, says that the government has acted correctly in presenting the request for extending the National State of Emergency. He said the law is being erroneously interpreted by opposition political parties. He said the original request was for 25 days and the 17 days approved by Congress is less than that request, so it is correct. He said there is no such thing as the extension of the extension, as the opposition would be interpreting the measure
The Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM) had said the 17 more days for the state of emergency violates the Constitution and has filed a direct action of unconstitutionality before the Constitutional Court, seeking to annul National Congress Resolution 67-20 and Decrees 213-20 and 214-20 issued by the President of the Republic. President Danilo Medina extended the state of emergency for 17 days through 30 June 2020. Senator José Ignacio Paliza, president of the PRM, submitted the request to the Constitutional Court.
In submitting the extension, the government violated State of Emergency Law 21-18 in its Art. 28, which establishes that the government needs to submit the bid for extension five days before the expiration. This was the fifth extension of the state of emergency in effect since 20 March 2020. The bill was submitted two days before its expiration date. Likewise, the same article establishes that the extension cannot be for more time than previously authorized, which was 12 days.
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Presidency
Listin Diario
17 June 2020