2006 – Page 90

The Presidential Anti-Narcotics Advisor, Marino Vinicio “Vincho” Castillo, believes that the government’s austerity programs should begin with salary reductions for some officials who are earning RD$600,000 per month, plus per diems. Criticizing the situation, he complained that he “only earns RD$62,000 per month and I’m working against drugs”. Reports by Diario Libre state that he …

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The Dominican Petroleum Refinery (REFIDOMSA) has confirmed that it is rationing the delivery of regular gasoline and diesel to distributing companies because it has had to delve into its reserves. This is due to the delay in the arrival of two ships with fuel purchased on the “spot” market, as reported by Listin Diario. Refidomsa …

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All doctors who have graduated from medical school in Cuba must take an exam in order to have their medical licenses revalidated, even after an agreement was signed that guaranteed approval for all returning doctors, according to a report in El Caribe newspaper. The process could take up to six months for those who request …

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In response to recent financial difficulties PRD Secretary General Orlando Jorge Mera has announced that PRD members will have to pay monthly membership fees, in a move approved by the party’s national executive committee (CEN). Effective immediately, PRD legislators will pay RD$10,000, while vice presidents and deputy secretaries will pay RD$2,000 and RD$1,000. For regular …

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Dominican insurance companies report that they have paid out more than RD$ 161 million in claims for crimes committed by employees. This type of claim has increased by 421% over a five-year span. Pierina Pumarol, speaking for the Superintendence of Insurance, she explained that this type of insurance covers theft of merchandise by employees, money …

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Jose Corporan has been arrested in connection with the murder of Angel Christopher Martinez, head of the Department for Aero-navigation at the Department of Civil Aviation. Other suspects in the 12 July 2005 murder are still on the run. Martinez was on his way to work last July when he was shot by men driving …

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The managers of Praia nightclub are denying recent allegations that they practice a discriminatory admittance policy. A press release states that dozens of regular visitors as well as hundreds of photographs can testify as to who visits the club. “There is no type of discrimination by race or financial status at our business,” they claim. …

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The National Drug Control Department (DNCD) is to incinerate one of the largest shipments of drugs seized in ports, airports and other locations in the country over a little more than one month. According to DNCD spokesman Roberto Lebron, 3,000 kgs of cocaine, 20,231 ecstasy pills, 15 kgs of crack, 119 lbs of marijuana, 76 …

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The Judge of the National District First Court of Instruction, Roman Hiciano Berroa, has ordered the District Attorney, Jose Manuel Hernandez Peguero, to request the extradition of businessman Oscar R. Lama Selima, who is accused of swindling several people out of US$300,000. Lama is currently living in the United States. Clave Digital reports that an …

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In contrast with the Chief of Police’s insistence that there hasn’t been an increase in violent crime, there have been 19 deaths due to shotgun wounds in the Dominican Republic during the last five days. Diario Libre quotes statistics from the Forensic Pathology Institute that indicate that by midday Sunday 24 September, 12 people had …

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