NewsWhore
03-25-2010, 05:10 PM
Ruling party senators agreed to not use the "little barrel" (barrilito) which in the case of senators adds up to around one million in extra funds every month during the congressional electoral campaign. The funds can be used at discretion by the legislators that say they allot them to social assistance.
Julio Cesar Castanos Espaillat, president of the Central Electoral Board (JCE) and Cardinal Nicolas de Jesus Lopez Rodriguez had objected the funds that had been defended by their creator, PLD senator and president of the Senate Reynaldo Pared Perez.
Upon making the announcement, Alejandro Montas, spokesman for the PLD said that despite the funds being "legal, legitimate and absolutely transparent", the party understands the concern that their use puts those that do not have access to them at a disadvantage. Montas argued that the fund is covered by the National Budget Law and is monitored and audited by the authorities of the National Congress.
He said the legislators would continue to receive the funds to meet commitments of payment of employees, but will apply an austerity plan until after the 16 May election.
The Foundation Justice and Transparence said that the so-called "barrilito," created by a resolution of the National Congress in 2004, violates the Constitution and budget law of the public sector.
Alejandro Montas urged legislators from other parties to follow the PLD example. The PLD is majority in Congress.
Former president of the Senate, Jesus Vasquez Martinez, said that the PLD is the least indicated to ask the PRD legislators to follow their example, when the "little barrel" was created as soon as the PLD obtained a majority in the Congress. Vasquez, who is seeking to be reelected as senator for Maria Trinidad Sanchez province, accused the PLD of having a double standard. He says the government continues to fast track permits for importing beans, garlic, sugar and other products to obtain fresh money for the campaign and thereby disguise the benefits of the little barrels, as reported in Diario Libre.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#7)
Julio Cesar Castanos Espaillat, president of the Central Electoral Board (JCE) and Cardinal Nicolas de Jesus Lopez Rodriguez had objected the funds that had been defended by their creator, PLD senator and president of the Senate Reynaldo Pared Perez.
Upon making the announcement, Alejandro Montas, spokesman for the PLD said that despite the funds being "legal, legitimate and absolutely transparent", the party understands the concern that their use puts those that do not have access to them at a disadvantage. Montas argued that the fund is covered by the National Budget Law and is monitored and audited by the authorities of the National Congress.
He said the legislators would continue to receive the funds to meet commitments of payment of employees, but will apply an austerity plan until after the 16 May election.
The Foundation Justice and Transparence said that the so-called "barrilito," created by a resolution of the National Congress in 2004, violates the Constitution and budget law of the public sector.
Alejandro Montas urged legislators from other parties to follow the PLD example. The PLD is majority in Congress.
Former president of the Senate, Jesus Vasquez Martinez, said that the PLD is the least indicated to ask the PRD legislators to follow their example, when the "little barrel" was created as soon as the PLD obtained a majority in the Congress. Vasquez, who is seeking to be reelected as senator for Maria Trinidad Sanchez province, accused the PLD of having a double standard. He says the government continues to fast track permits for importing beans, garlic, sugar and other products to obtain fresh money for the campaign and thereby disguise the benefits of the little barrels, as reported in Diario Libre.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#7)