NewsWhore
03-18-2011, 06:40 PM
Journalist Huchi Lora revealed yesterday the contents of a Chamber of Deputies document on the outcome of the vote called in the chamber on the changes President Leonel Fernandez requested for the National Council of the Magistracy. The document backs the argument that a vote in favor from two-thirds of those present in the Chamber was necessary to approve the changes, a situation that did not occur. Moreso, in a Chamber of Deputies document prepared by a congressional committee (Oficina Tecnica de Revision Legislativa - Ofritel) on the President's observations stated that the two-thirds majority applied. The document was read during the session. It is a routine document prepared by the technical committee and that serves as guidelines for the legislators to cast their vote.
The President requested casting vote capacity, to increase the number of members adding the General Prosecutor (who is appointed by the President) so there would be eight members, not seven, among other observations. His vote would then be the tie-breaker.
Following the decision of the president of the Chamber of Deputies Abel Martinez to pass the bill with a simple majority, PLD deputy Minou Tavarez requested the Chamber of Deputies certification on the session.
The certificate established that according to the regular rules of the Chamber of Deputies, the bill did not pass. The vote was 83 deputies of the PLD voted yes, two voted No and three did not vote. Of the PRD, 67 voted no, the deputy of the FNP and APD voted No. The electronic billboard stated that the bill did not pass.
Several civic groups and associations have announced plans to take the issue to the Supreme Court of Justice.
The National Council of the Magistracy chooses the judges for the Supreme Court of Justice, the Constitutional Court and the Higher Electoral Court.
Commenting on the irregular passing of the observations, Claudio Acosta of Hoy writes: "What hides behind the manifest purpose of President Leonel Fernandez of accumulating so much power? Really he is not hiding anything, because for a while the re-election drums have been playing loudly without the head of government doing anything to silence them. But if the scheme to continue in power does not happen for reasons known by all, then Plan B would kick in. Because for something all this power that is sought will serve for is to guarantee impunity to those who government today and sooner or later will go home."
www.hoy.com.do/el-pais/2011/3/18/367255/Minou-entiende-debe-revisarse-aprobacion-del-CNM-por-CD (http://www.hoy.com.do/el-pais/2011/3/18/367255/Minou-entiende-debe-revisarse-aprobacion-del-CNM-por-CD)
In his editorial in today's Diario Libre, Adriano Miguel Tejada speculates that the intention behind the passing with the simple majority the bill could be to set a precedent to be used for passing other bills.
The PLD is majority in Congress and traditionally has had the support of PRSC and PRD legislators. But not all PLD legislators are unconditional to President Fernandez, thus the decision to go with the simple majority.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#5)
The President requested casting vote capacity, to increase the number of members adding the General Prosecutor (who is appointed by the President) so there would be eight members, not seven, among other observations. His vote would then be the tie-breaker.
Following the decision of the president of the Chamber of Deputies Abel Martinez to pass the bill with a simple majority, PLD deputy Minou Tavarez requested the Chamber of Deputies certification on the session.
The certificate established that according to the regular rules of the Chamber of Deputies, the bill did not pass. The vote was 83 deputies of the PLD voted yes, two voted No and three did not vote. Of the PRD, 67 voted no, the deputy of the FNP and APD voted No. The electronic billboard stated that the bill did not pass.
Several civic groups and associations have announced plans to take the issue to the Supreme Court of Justice.
The National Council of the Magistracy chooses the judges for the Supreme Court of Justice, the Constitutional Court and the Higher Electoral Court.
Commenting on the irregular passing of the observations, Claudio Acosta of Hoy writes: "What hides behind the manifest purpose of President Leonel Fernandez of accumulating so much power? Really he is not hiding anything, because for a while the re-election drums have been playing loudly without the head of government doing anything to silence them. But if the scheme to continue in power does not happen for reasons known by all, then Plan B would kick in. Because for something all this power that is sought will serve for is to guarantee impunity to those who government today and sooner or later will go home."
www.hoy.com.do/el-pais/2011/3/18/367255/Minou-entiende-debe-revisarse-aprobacion-del-CNM-por-CD (http://www.hoy.com.do/el-pais/2011/3/18/367255/Minou-entiende-debe-revisarse-aprobacion-del-CNM-por-CD)
In his editorial in today's Diario Libre, Adriano Miguel Tejada speculates that the intention behind the passing with the simple majority the bill could be to set a precedent to be used for passing other bills.
The PLD is majority in Congress and traditionally has had the support of PRSC and PRD legislators. But not all PLD legislators are unconditional to President Fernandez, thus the decision to go with the simple majority.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#5)