A report in El Caribe newspaper looks into the commotion caused by the publication of the list of government officers, legislators and high-ranking members of the Political Committee of the PLD accused of receiving bribes as part of the Odebrecht scandal. The incriminating documents were generated abroad, suggesting that the claims of overpricing of public works and bribes to secure government issued contracts were not sufficient to motivate the local judiciary to start the investigation earlier.
So far the government has ordered the arrest of members of the Political Committee Temistocles Montas, senator Julio Cesar Valentin and Radhames Segura and of the Central Committee senator Tommy Galan and Victor Diaz Rua.
After his arrest, Montas, Minister of Industry and Commerce in the Medina administration, admitted that he received funds from the commercial representatives of Odebrecht Angel Rondon for the political campaigns of the PLD in 2008 (Leonel Fernández), 2012 and 2017 (Danilo Medina). Political committee member of the PLD, and Minister of Labor, Jose Ramon Fadul (Monchi) highlighted that private company contributions to political campaigns in the Dominican Republic are legal.
The Presidency has consistently denied receiving funds from Odebrecht for the electoral campaigns of President Danilo Medina. Montas in a paid advertisement insists that when he received the funds for the campaigns he was not informed that Odebrecht was the source of the funds.
In a paid advertisement, Montas said he used the money for the campaigns in 2008 in San Cristobal, in 2012 in San Juan de la Maguana and in 2016 in the eastern region. He stated he was not told it was Odebrecht money that was provided in exchange for some service or product. Montas argued that he had absolutely zero interactions with or benefits from the operations of that multinational company.
A PLD Political Committee is expected to be held this week. Another key issue on the agenda of the upcoming meeting is the discussion involving Lucia Medina, sister to President Medina, as president of the Chamber of Deputies. A Political Committee agreement had nominated Ruben Maldonado to be the next president of the Chamber of Deputies. The president of the Chamber of Deputies sets the agenda for the day.
Another potential saga unfolding is the possibility that President Danilo Medina may seek to again change the Constitution to allow for a possible run for the presidency in 2020. In 2012, former President Leonel Fernández sought to be the presidential candidate of the PLD and opposed the change of the Constitution that allowed for Medina to seek reelection. In 2012, Medina finagled to change the Constitution by securing the support of the previously opposition PRD legislators. The PRD eventually became an ally to the current PLD-led government.
The hearings of the Odebrecht case include several high-ranking officers of the PRM, the break off party of the PRD, and today the largest opposition party.
In a contribution piece, political analyst Rosario Espinal highlighted that the system of political parties in the Dominican Republic is at its lowest point. It never had been so close to collapse. She says the time is right for a third political force to come forward to take advantage of the situation.
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Noticias SIN
5 June 2017
