2001 – Page 156

On occasion of the celebration of Journalists’ Day in the DR, President Mejia decorated 10 journalists with the Duarte, Sanchez and Mella Order of Merit, rank of Commander. They are: Osvaldo Santana, executive editor of El Siglo; Bienvenido Alvarez Vega, executive editor of Hoy; Domingo Saint Hilaire; Juan Taveras Hernandez; Francisco Alvarez Castellanos; Dania Goris; …

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The Tax Department (DGII) is billing companies for the 1.5% tax on gross sales by averaging the sales of the past three years, then adding an estimated 15% growth rate per year. The companies that make tax payments lower than that amount are being notified that they need to pay the difference. The business community …

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After 14 hours of questioning yesterday, the government has arrested Victor Tio Fernandez, the former director of Bienes Nacionales, the department in charge of government property. Upon his arrest, his lawyer Fidias Aristy urged the judicial authorities to look into another real estate deal. Aristy said authorities should interrogate the Secretary of the Presidency Sergio …

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The Supreme Court of Justice ordered an audit of the real estate operations carried out by several government departments during the past 12 months. Departments that will be audited to follow the trail of government property transactions made by Bienes Nacionales are: Oficina de Registro de Titulos del Distrito Nacional, Instituto Nacional de la Vivienda, …

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The Social Security Bill has returned to the Senate after the Chamber of Deputies made many changes. One of the most important changes is the separation of the social security plans for the private sector and for the public sector. The Dominican Medical Association opposes this move. It favored joint management of both sectors. 81 …

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Ramon Alburquerque and Rafaela Alburquerque, the presidents of the Senate and Chamber of Deputies, recognized the importance of a recommendation made by the Free Zone Association. The Association warned about a duplication of pension funds that would result from the proposed new Social Security Bill. Adozona wants Congress to eliminate the present provisions for severance …

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Andres Mateo retracted his resignation from the National Library after meeting with Minister of Culture Tony Raful. He said the Minister agreed to review the recent layoffs of 22 library employees. Mateo’s resignation made news after his critical letter of resignation was leaked to the press.

News commentator Orlando Gil of El Siglo newspaper comments that there is no difference between what is going on in the present government and what happened in the past. He says it has become government practice to "give away" vehicles to government officers. The current plan calls for the ministries to finance 75% of the …

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