2008 – Page 40

During the Dominican Bishops Conference, Catholic bishops expressed their opposition to the General Religious Association bill that would offer similar privileges to those enjoyed by Catholics to other religious organizations. The bishops argue the bill would allow for unlicensed or ill-prepared preachers to celebrate marriages in the DR. In a letter presented during the conference, …

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For all the talk of progress and development, the DR is still leading the region when it comes to its inability to reduce levels of social inequality. The Latinobarometro 2008 supports this perception, awarding the DR 64 out of a possible 70 points. The report also identifies the perception that the DR government only works …

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Nurses from the UNASED union have announced they will hold a 72-hour strike beginning today. The public hospital nurses are asking for a wage increase and other concessions. Last week, nurses also held a two-day strike, but there was little media attention or support for their action. Contrary to the public hospital doctors that are …

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In a joint statement, Claro Codetel, Viva, Tricom and Orange have all rejected a proposed 3% additional tax on their earnings. The taxes were to be implemented by the municipal authorities. The telecommunications companies say that municipalities don’t have the authority to levy taxes on corporations. During a meeting at the Hoy offices, legal representatives …

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In recent weeks gas prices have dropped significantly, to the delight of vehicle owners, but food prices have remained almost the same. During the summer months, producers blamed high gas prices for the rise in food and other prices, but now that fuel prices have gone down, these same producers haven’t passed on the savings …

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While gas prices have fallen sharply, drivers have a new set of concerns as they take to the roads. Traffic fines have increased and an AMET cop’s willingness to give out a fine has gone up with it. Now a ticket could cost you RD$1,000, up from RD$530. This is the minimum driving fine. Drivers …

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Deputy Vinicio Castillo Seman, who has submitted a bill aimed at enabling the Dominican authorities to intercept unauthorized planes suspected of carrying drugs, is highlighting the contradiction between the support the US government gave to a similar bill in Colombia and its rejection of the Dominican bill. The bill seeks to interrupt the air bridge …

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Officials are reporting that over ninety people who secretly left for Puerto Rico last week and haven’t been heard from since. Their families raised the alarm when they did not arrive as expected. Jose Reyes, who had planned to make the voyage, says that he changed his mind and disembarked about 500 meters from the …

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The authorities have arrested Alejandro Almanzar in connection with a drug trafficking case where liquid cocaine hidden in shampoo bottles was to be transported to the US. Details of where and who else was involved in the case have not been released. Officials say Almanzar was the owner of Optimum and Compania Inmobiliaria located on …

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Women’s State Prosecutor Roxanna Reyes says that verbal and psychological abuse now makes up 65% of the more than 20,000 reports of domestic abuse in the DR, exceeding physical abuse. Reyes considers this a small victory. Reyes mentioned a case in Bani last month, when a man was charged and ordered to pay an RD$1 …

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