2003 – Page 262

Jacinto Peynado, the PRSC presidential pre-candidate who lost to Eduardo Estrella in last week’s primary elections, has said that President Hip?lito Mej?a’s admissions on Wednesday that members of his PRD party were involved in the rival party’s internal campaign is further proof that the election was fraudulent. He is quoted in Hoy describing the elections …

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Loans valuing a total of US$341.6 million were approved by Congress yesterday. Deputies voted in favor of the loans, which are to be partially spent on the construction of aqueducts in seven provinces (Santiago, Duarte (San Francisco de Macor?s), La Romana, San Crist?bal, Barahona, Bahoruco and Independencia). Portions of these funds are also destined for …

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Bancredito is suing two commentators from radio station Z-101 over certain on-the-air statements made that they feel “spread false rumors” ? an offense that breaches monetary law. The contentious comments implied that the bank was engaged in discussions regarding a possible merger with a leading company. Alvaro (Alvarito) Arvelo and V?ctor G?mez Casasnovas, of the …

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Medical staff on strike at Santo Domingo’s Salvador B. Gautier Hospital have suspended their protest action for 72 hours, following a meeting with Health Ministry (IDSS) officials. The doctors have been on strike since 31 March and are demanding improved medical supplies and better equipment. In a meeting yesterday, they agreed that some progress had …

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Next week’s Easter holiday operative involves the mobilization of 100,000 emergency services and volunteers, who will work on accident prevention programs across the country. Defensa Civil, the national voluntary organization, is in charge of the initiative, along with the National Emergencies Committee (CNE), local authorities and some NGOs (Non-Governmental Organisations). The operative consists of an …

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Continuing good news on hotel occupancy comes in today’s El Caribe. Hotel and Restaurant Association ASONAHORES says that the first three months of 2003 have seen a rise in hotel occupancy of 16.2%, compared to the equivalent period last year.  In March, the average figure was 81.2% ? an increase of 8.8% over last year. …

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The three men arrested for the attempted murder of PLD deputy Manuel D?az on Wednesday are out of detention and they paid a visit to the Diario Libre offices yesterday to tell their version of events. According to them, they were visiting the PLD offices in Congress in order to raise funds for sports equipment …

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Two unidentified men tried to kidnap Carlos Ochoa, son of Santiago businessman Marino Ochoa, as he arrived at school yesterday morning. The attempt was foiled when some teachers and parents dropping their children off at the La Salle School intervened and the would-be kidnappers drove off. The Ochoa family has denied that the incident may …

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Central Bank governor Jos? Lois Malkum has told the media that a commercial bank from Europe and another from the US are interested in buying Baninter. The identities of these foreign companies are not being revealed at the moment, but they are said to have made their applications to the Central Bank. Malkum commented that …

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The Banco del Progreso group had made an offer to purchase Baninter on 24 March, however the deal fell through after the bank?s true state of finances was discovered. Hoy newspaper explained yesterday that the group desisted from pursuing the venture after verifying that the largest part of Baninter?s assets and liabilities were not related …

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