When campaigning for President, Danilo Medina had promised to clean up the bloated ranks of Dominican diplomacy. Numerous media reports have provided evidence that hundreds have been appointed and earn high salaries while spending more time in the Dominican Republic. Most are simply political appointees.
Two recent changes in key diplomatic posts raise questions as to whether Medina has the intention of honoring his promise to rid diplomacy of political patronage.
Recently, the government of Spain denied the placet to Oscar Medina, son of presently appointed ambassador in Spain, Cesar Medina, better known for his local TV programs and his column in the Listin Diario.
In another apparent political move, President Medina swore in Hector Paulino Dominguez Rodriguez, as the new ambassador to Japan. Dominguez said he would work 24/7 to increase trade and cultural exchanges between both countries. Dominguez is a graduate in law from PUCMM and UASD universities. He has postgraduate studies in international trade arbitrage from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid y la Universidad de Andalucia. Prior to his appointment, he worked at the Dominican Municipal League and the Dominican Institute of Telecommunications. When he was a vice president of the opposition PRD, he backed the PLD candidacy of President Danilo Medina. Dominguez was candidate for senator for the PRD party in 2006. He is one of the better-known PRD activists in Santiago.
http://www.7dias.com.do/index.php/noticias/144242/Espana_niega_el_placet_a_Oscar_Medina_para_sustituir_a_su_padre_Cesar_en_la_embajada#.UeVZ0BZurww
http://www.diariolibre.com/noticias_det.php?id=328408&l=1
http://hoy.com.do/tema-de-hoy/2012/1/21/411137/Crece-y-crece-nomina-del-servicio-exterior