During her El Informe program on Monday evening, 5 November, journalist Alicia Ortega revealed a series of interesting names of people who received luxurious apartments in the apartment complex built by the National Housing Institute (INVI) on Luperon Avenue. According to Ortega, at least 27 people who received apartments in the complex already have at least one other apartment, which is an outright violation of one of the basic requirements for receiving housing from INVI. According to Olivo Rodriguez Huertas, an expert on administrative law, “as long as their own regulations are in force, they have to be obeyed, and no exceptions can be made.” Of course, one must know the actors in the controversial case, and understand “who” they are.
One of the most interesting cases involves Sagie Altagracia Roedan Mateo, an official in the previous administration who worked in the First Lady’s Office (Despacho de la Primera Dama, Margarita Cedeno at that time) who had already received an apartment from the National Assets Office, in the Jose Contreras Residential Complex. Another interesting case is that of Ana Rita Espejo, an official with the Superintendence of Banks and the widow of leading PLD member Quilvio Cabrera, who has two other properties: one valued at RD$1,359,000 and another at RD$2,908,415. The list also includes Ligia Josefina Cardona Melo, the daughter of the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Ligia Amada Melo. Cardona Melo has another apartment valued at RD$6,254,960. Long distance swimmer and current deputy Minister of Sports Marcos Diaz is another beneficiary. The full story and report can be found here:
www.hoy.com.do/el-pais/2012/11/7/453748/Asignan-apartamentos-de-lujo-a-personas-que-ya-tenian-buenas-casas
www.noticiassin.com/2012/11/decenas-de-propietarios-de-apartamentos-del-residencial-el-progreso-poseen-otros-inmuebles
http://www.acento.com.do/index.php/news/23409/56/Pendejos-pagan-impuestos-para-que-otros-gocen-en-torres-Su-Progreso.html