2020 – Page 60

Diario Libre requested and obtained the allocations of the senatorial compensation fund for the now majority PRM Senate. The fund is popularly known as “the little barrel” and provides RD$600,000 to RD$1 million in extra funds for social actions or for use at the senators’ discretion. Only two senators are excluded from the payments in …

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Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM) high-ranking member Emmanuel Esquea argues that the Social Compensation Fund (the little barrel) violates Article 140 of the Constitution. Esquea says that the article states that no government institution shall establish benefits for its incumbents, except for a subsequent period. Esquea brings up the popular Dominican saying, “one thing is with …

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The Procurement Agency director, Carlos Pimentel announced this week crosschecks of the state providers list with high-ranking government officers, legislators and judges. Procurement Law 340-06 bans these from selling to the government. But over the years, government officers selling to the government has become the new normal. Government officers have made millions using their influence …

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During the second term of President Danilo Medina, the early childhood agency director almost doubled her officially presented worth. As reported in Diario Libre, Berlinesa Franco, former director of the National Institute for Early Childhood Care (Inaipi), presented a worth statement of RD$295 million, up from RD$218 million presented in 2016. Franco is the widow …

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The Ministry of Public Health’s Epidemiology Department Coronavirus Bulletin #209 reports 654 new confirmed cases. 5,350 first PCR tests were carried out in time for the bulletin deadline. The 14-day average is 3,649 tests. The 24-hour positivity rate is now at a relatively low 12.22%. The 4-week positivity rate continues to decline and is at …

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The Ministry of Public Works announced the rescinding of asphalt contracts with dozens of suppliers. In a press conference at the Presidential Palace on Tuesday, 13 October 2020, legal advisor to the President Antoliano Peralta; the director of the Procurement Agency Carlos Pimentel, and deputy minister of Public Works Roberto Herrera explained a review of …

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It’s best known as the “barrilito” or the little barrel. Despite it being a diminutive word, the “barrilito” is quite generous. Officially known as the Social Compensation Fund, the barrilito allocates senators an extra RD$1 million a month to use at their discretion. The side bonus is in addition to their base wage of RD$320,000 …

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Except for in March and April, remittances sent by Dominicans living abroad have been growing. March and April were the first two months of lockdown for Covid-19. Remittances entered an upwards trend afterward. In September, Dominicans sent to family and acquaintances in the Dominican Republic US$777.4 million, compared to US$566.9 million in September 2019, a …

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Santo Domingo city mayor Carolina Mejía has authorized that the Colonial City center be exclusively for pedestrians on Saturday, 17 October and Sunday, 18 October. The area is the historical and tourist area of the capital city. The National Transit Institute (Intrant), the Traffic Safety Agency (Digesett), the Ministry of Tourism, and the Association of …

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Susana Martínez Nadal was voted to preside the National Young Entrepreneurs Association (ANJE) from October 2020 to October 2021. She is the managing partner in Blue Compass Consulting, a firm specializing in public affairs, intelligence and communication. She is a contributing analyst in economic and political intelligence to The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). She has …

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