The three principal contenders for president of the Dominican Republic participated in a congregation called by several religious denominations in the country, and together they committed themselves to fight corruption and poverty. This is a first where Protestant and Catholic Churches have come together to organize a quasi-political event. Jacinto Peynado, Jos\u00e9 Francisco Pe\u00f1a G\u00f3mez and Leonel Fern\u00e1ndez spoke separately, but all concurred on the need to reform the state and improve the living conditions of the population. The presidential candidates for the Partido Reformista Social Cristiano, the Partido Revolucionario Dominicano and the Partido de la Liberaci\u00f3n Dominicana spoke at the Concentraci\u00f3n de la Esperanza, organized by the Catholic Church, through the Pastoral Juvenil, the Iglesia Anglicana and the Iglesia Evang\u00e9lica and held at the Centro Ol\u00edmpico Juan Pablo Duarte.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Speaking at the event, Leonel Fern\u00e1ndez of the PLD said that the country needs a national project that goes beyond the political parties. He said that at the present time what is being decided is the future of the country as a nation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Jos\u00e9 Francisco Pe\u00f1a G\u00f3mez made national headlines by stating that win or lose, he will contribute to improving the living conditions of Dominicans. He supported the JCE for being composed of judges whose probity is beyond doubt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Jacinto Peynado promised that if he were to win the election to head a government, he would give priority to social expenditure, emphasizing health, education, the environment and greater investment in agriculture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
The president of the Junta Central Electoral, C\u00e9sar Estrella Sahdal\u00e1, and his fellow judges of the electoral court were also present at the event. Dr. Estrella spoke after the political candidates, and said that he would proclaim the winner of the election even if the margin is but one vote. He said that the future of the country is in the hands of the young because the majority of voters are young people. “You cannot cross your arms waiting for your problems to be resolved; you have to act out your own destiny and “Viva the Dominican Republic,” said Dr. Estrella ending his brief speech.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Monsignor Fabio Mamerto Rivas, the bishop for Barahona; Napole\u00f3n Brito, of the Anglican Church and Eduardo Desueza, from the Evangelist Church, spoke for their denominations and coincided on the need that whoever wins the election makes the promises in the campaign a reality, leading the nation to progress, peace and harmony.<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The three principal contenders for president of the Dominican Republic participated in a congregation called by several religious denominations in the country, and together they committed themselves to fight corruption and poverty. This is a first where Protestant and Catholic Churches have come together to organize a quasi-political event. Jacinto Peynado, Jos\u00e9 Francisco Pe\u00f1a G\u00f3mez … <\/p>\n