2001 – Page 94

La Vega rice entrepreneur Miguel de Moya was released yesterday after being kidnapped. A RD$3 million ransom was paid for his release at around 7 pm in northwestern Monte Cristi. Spokesman for the Police, Nelson Rosario commented that the incident was an “isolated” one.

Sixteen-year old Irvin Joel Guzman received a US$2.25 million bonus to sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He thus becomes the recruit to receive the highest Major League team bonus. The previous record was that of Venezuelan Miguel Cabrera who received a US$1.8 million bonus to sign with the Marlins. The 6’4 inches tall, 196 …

Read more…

Boston Red Sox strikeout king, Pedro Martinez flew in for the weekend, staying at a villa in Casa de Campo. Martinez is suffering from a right shoulder problem and flew to the DR after Dr. Arthur Pappas of the Boston Red Sox recommended rest, as reported in El Siglo.

Vice President and Minister of Education Milagros Ortiz Bosch announced her department would soon issue a resolution instructing public schools nationwide to admit all children, regardless of whether they have a birth certificate or not. The announcement was made during the First International Symposium on Diversity and Exclusion Problems organized by the Institute of Dominican …

Read more…

President Hipolito Mejia announced that former governor of the Central Bank (1984-86), Hugo Guiliani Cury is his choice for Minister of Industry and Commerce. The well-respected 61-year old Guiliani will replace resigning Angel Lockward, the most controversial and criticized Mejia cabinet officer. Guiliani opposed Lockward’s decision to pass on to consumers a 20% increase in …

Read more…

El Siglo newspaper reports that the Ministry of Armed Forces has received 60% more than budgeted, while the Ministry of Education has suffered a 22% cut between what was budgeted and what was disbursed. The newspaper says that the Ministry of Armed Forces was allotted RD$1,188 million in the 2001 Budget and during the first …

Read more…

The president of the commission to study the issuing of US$500 million in sovereign bonds announced their approval is imminent. He argued that timing is key to the issuing. He said the senators would pass the bill that would then move on to be studied by the Chamber of Deputies. Vicente Castillo (PRD-Peravia) said that …

Read more…

An abundance of farm produce is forcing food prices down, to the pleasure of shoppers. The Listin Diario reports on an abundance of plantains, bananas, yucca, melons, squash, peppers, tomatoes, carrots, sweet potato, tayota and potatoes. Plantains now are selling for about RD$1.00 the unit in many marketplaces.

El Siglo newspaper reports that Edenorte, Edesur and Edeeste, the three power distributors have an agreement with the Superintendence of power to not supply power to slum barrios from 10 am to 9 pm. The decision is to “convince” the barrios to start paying for the service. The long blackouts are regularly affecting the neighborhoods …

Read more…