The new judicial action surrounding the Bancredito case has given rise to differing and controversial opinions among government officials. Julio Cross, the Banking Superintendent, said in Hoy newspaper that the start of the judicial process would facilitate the signing of the IMF accords. Cross explained that the IMF frowns on perpetrators of this type of fraudulent banking remaining immune from punishment. The lawyer for the Dominican State, Artagnan Perez Mendez, told reporters from Hoy that only the Justice Ministry can stop the judicial process that was begun against Juan Felipe Mendoza and Manuel Arturo Pellerano. Both men are accused of mishandling RD$20 billion. When Perez Mendez was asked about President Mejia’s statement that he had stopped the process in order to have it reviewed, the feisty lawyer told reporters that “neither the President nor any other power can do that.” The government’s lawyer told reporters that he felt that the President had probably not had time to read the full content of the 29-page indictment, as it had only been placed in the District Attorney’s office that afternoon. The District Attorney for the Santo Domingo had ordered that both men be arrested. Julio Cross told reporters that the IMF will see the judicial process as part of a healthier banking system, as the international financial organization will want to assure itself that the Dominican Republic’s bank system is stronger since the collapse of three banks.
\nRafael Molina Morillo, in his column “Mis buenos dias”, says that he is waiting for someone to explain the situation to him. How can the President stop a judicial order for the arrest and imprisonment of two bankers accused of violating the law? Where does the chief of the Executive Branch find the authorization to stick his nose into affairs that are the competence of other branches of the government? Where does the law say that the President should “study the indictment”? Molina Morillo calls the imbroglio an “abuse of power” and asks why the District Attorney and the Attorney General have not said a word about the case. The editor says that in a modern era of Dominican public administration, there have been very few cases of officials resigning over principles and self-esteem. He says that he does not know what the magistrates are thinking of doing in this case. where their functions are being usurped.
\nWriting for Monday’s Listin Diario, under a quote from Jose Marti (“Neither injustice nor privileges”), Ana Mitila Lora comments that it is strange that the President does not appear to be au fait with the Bancredito situation, which has been unraveling for some months since the Central Bank had to inject millions of pesos to save it from collapse, followed by the announcement that the E Leon Jimenes Group would step in. At the same time, says Mitila Lora, “There should be some independence between State institutions and it is justice in this case that has to act.” She goes on to say that if the executives in this case, who are suspected of massive fraud to the tune of RD$20 billion, are not detained, the accused in the Baninter case should also be set free, along with many others accused of lesser crimes. Mitila Lora ends by saying that if Mejia’s wishes are granted, the CB governor, the superintendent of banking and the lawyers in the case should all resign. “Let us hope that institutionalism is respected and that all Dominicans are measured by the same yardstick.” <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The new judicial action surrounding the Bancredito case has given rise to differing and controversial opinions among government officials. Julio Cross, the Banking Superintendent, said in Hoy newspaper that the start of the judicial process would facilitate the signing of the IMF accords. Cross explained that the IMF frowns on perpetrators of this type of … <\/p>\n