2008 – Page 295

Juan Maria Severino, the judge who sentenced former President Salvador Jorge Blanco to 20 years in prison, passed away over the weekend as a result of kidney failure. Severino was known for his harsh sentences handed down in 1988 against the former President, the former banker Leonel Almonte and businessman Juan Tomas Pena Valentin for …

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President Leonel Fernandez has sent Central Bank director Hector Valdez Albizu to Washington for meetings with IMF executives. On the agenda is the possibility of signing a new agreement with the international financial institution. Officials who have championed a new pact say that the new agreement doesn’t necessarily have to be a Stand-by arrangement like …

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The Transport Reorganization Office (OPRET) took the Santo Domingo metro on its first trial run yesterday. The train made a 2km trip from Isabela station, near the old cement factory to Los Cerros de Buena Vista. Hoy reports that the sight of the metro cars moving were met with cheers and exclamations from onlookers, while …

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Listin Diario is reporting that negotiations for a free trade agreement between the Dominican Republic and Canada have been indefinitely suspended and sources have no idea when talks are likely to resume. The negotiations were entering their second round of a total of five scheduled. Last December the first rounds were held in Ottawa, and …

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The Central Electoral Board (JCE) has announced that the fake marriages that were performed in Punta Cana, Bavaro and Higuey would be legalized. This statement was made by Administrative Chamber President Roberto Rosario and JCE head Julio Cesar Castanos Guzman. Rosario said that around 200 marriages were performed by unqualified personnel who had pocketed the …

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The central government has promised to give the Central Electoral Board (JCE) an additional RD$461 million for use in staging the 2008 presidential elections. The additional funds bring the JCE’s total electoral budget to RD$1.5 billion for 2008. JCE president Julio Cesar Castanos Guzman explained that the JCE was also given a one-year extension to …

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According to figures provided by engineer Bernardo Castellanos, during the last four years the budget for the energy sector in the DR reached US$2 billion (RD$65 billion). Castellanos spoke of the “paradox” where the use of petroleum-generated electricity production plants has decreased, yet the subsidy for these types of generators has increased over the years. …

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Yesterday’s 24-hour strike by doctors went ahead without a hitch. Although some doctors did minimal work, Hoy reports that the strike went on as planned throughout the country. The strike appears to have accomplished its goals, as Public Health Minister Bautista Rojas Gomez urged doctors to get back to the table and reopen dialogue with …

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The Tax Department (DGII) will refunding taxes paid by exporting companies as part of Law 392-07 on Competitiveness and Industrial Innovation. The refunds will include taxes on checks, fuels, selective insurance, telecommunications and the payment of the ITBIS (VAT) tax on the purchase of machines. The measure is included in DGII’s General Regulation 02-08 and …

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The Integrated Research and Guidance Center (COIN) reports that the practice of human trafficking is most prevalent in Boca Chica, Villas Agricolas, Yaguate and San Cristobal. According to COIN, these areas, especially the ones closest to resorts and tourist areas, are most vulnerable. COIN’s report was prepared with the help of the International Organization for …

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