Former Anti-corruption Office director Octavio Lister finally got fed up with trying to nab corrupt officials members of his own PLD party.
SANTO DOMINGO. - Senator Wilton Guerrero Wednesday said there are more corrupt officials than those the journalist Nuria Piera has denounced. “I’ve always said that Dominican society is in an acute process of decomposition. There’s a lack of ethical and moral values."
The Peravia province (south) senator said many officials, whom he didn’t identify, become rich in a gross and shameless manner with the taxpayers money before the authorities’ indifference.
He said there was much corruption in Hipólito Mejía’s Administration, but that the current one isn’t far back. “In Hipólito Mejía’s Government there was much corruption, but those in front aren’t far ahead if those behind run well."
The lawmaker attributes the situation to the authorities’ lack of measures to control corruption, and said it’s inconceivable that a TV program detects the corruption the law enforcement agencies cannot. "It’s an inexplicable action,” he said, and noted his recent charges that Peravia police and prosecutors had links to drug trafficking.
The lawmaker from the city Baní requested that those who steal the nation’s money be immediately charged.
"I believe that many officials are becoming rich, Nuria simply has denounced some, but there’s nothing said about the majority, I do in fact have serious information on the matter,” Guerrero said during a recess of a meeting with ruling PLD party legislators to discuss the constitutional reform now being debated by the National Assembly.
Written by: juanb, 22 Apr 2009 3:12 PM
From: Dominican Republic
To get the total number of corrupt government officials simply total up the total number of officials, subtract 2 (Guerrero and M. Cocco) and you are left with the number of crooks in government.
Written by: Belly, 22 Apr 2009 3:21 PM
From: Dominican Republic, Houston,Texas y San Francisco, DR
The solution is simple catch one and wait for next one to complaint and go after that one.
From: Dominican Republic, vieja Santo Domingo
most countries have an independent commission against corruption that presents a report annually to a senate and the commissions have very wide powers but in this country the problem is who could staff the commission and would the courts take any action against the offenders..but one has to start somewhere and I think any commission should be staffed by, for example, staff from the UN or from the CIA ,,corrupt countries can be turned around very quickly and there are many Asian countries that have been transformed reasonably quickly .
there is little doubt that this country is better off economically than ever before but I am at a loss to understand why Leonel does not take a firmer line against the corrupt officials.
Written by: brootto, 22 Apr 2009 5:30 PM
From: United States, South West Florida
I tell you why el presidente doesn't take a firmer approach, his reputation will be on the line once the country finds out that those implicate in corruption are so close to him and he probability don't care what they do or he is afraid that it could cost him, his life like Guzman.
Written by: antonio1, 22 Apr 2009 6:23 PM
From: Dominican Republic, Av Santa Rosa, La Romana
My congratulation to those Investigative journalist like Nuria Piera and others that are out there uncovering all those corrupt official.
Written by: BASTA, 22 Apr 2009 6:51 PM
From: Dominican Republic, =Ghetto/Legalize Drugs
I tell you why el presidente doesn't take a firmer approach
Why should he when he is the #1 crook.
From: United States, Fresh Water Paradise-NY Finger Lakes
Given pathetically sad state of politics in DR, one has to really wonder as to whether or not our president is indeed a crook. I don't know him personally and am only aware of what I read in this forum, as I have not visited DR in more than 25 years. I criticize this guy as much as the next guy and, frankly, I do not consider him a leader or an eloquent statesman. He is also rather dull an uninspiring; he lacks the fire of some who preceded him, and clearly lacks the charisma of Castro and even Chavez [#@%$!].
Could it possible that he is a puppet for the political machine and, as such, is doing all he is allowed to? We all know that the armed forces rule and shall always rule in DR, so there is only so far he could step out of line before, you know, he is dispose of. Think about it...this is a remote possibility, but not altogether improbable.
From: United States, Fresh Water Paradise-NY Finger Lakes
I hope Mr. Guerrero is being honest with the people and not just seeking gratuitous publicity, for his comments seem to be right on the money and resonate strongly with my own views and feelings.
I fundamentally do not believe that change could come to the DR via legislation, and that it will have to be attained through revolution, perhaps something similar to the French revolution. For many of these people, I believe, there is no possibility of redemption, and they should be summarily hung from the nearest lamp post, after a five minute trial by the people-of course. This would send a strong message to those contemplating wanton pillaging and undue privileges. It is harsh, but it may be the only process that will work.
Written by: Belly, 23 Apr 2009 1:01 AM
From: Dominican Republic, Houston,Texas y San Francisco, DR
Gloma
Wow i can't believe such a intelletual like you have not visited the coutry in 25 yrs i don't think i can do that my self. i haven't been there in 1 yrs and i'm home sick already but anyways. I have said many times that we are hoping for something to happen but unless every city in DR gets a Jose La Bela like in san francisco had in 95 we won't see any real change. Jose la bela is a legend because he stood up to corruption even when he have even when he could have died and i'm proud the whole city supported him back then and i was in frontlines there too. I wish many dominican come to this City and see it for your self what it could be if we follow this model nation wide. I know you all heard many bad stories about but the reality is San Francisco is still what DR used to be in the 60s a city full of brave people willing to fight with moral values for whats right and wrong.
Written by: Belly, 23 Apr 2009 1:08 AM
From: Dominican Republic, Houston,Texas y San Francisco, DR
My aunt was murdered by a police man out of jealousy but even thoug it sounds bad to say this i'm glad he was murdered later by her boyfriend who did 15 yrs in prison and died after he came out. Is not to over glorify my town but we are full of braves one that won't stand any thing thats not right. Up to this day ican say that in my hood there no body have been able to sale drugs because the hood leaders won't let it happen and are willing to take action against anything like that happening in my hood. Barrio Hermanas Mirabal is the safest place in san francisco and i'm proud we have acomplish that. Police don't even patrol this area here.
Written by: synapse, 23 Apr 2009 1:21 AM
From: United States
So what else is new? It doesn't take a genius to know that corruption is completely institutionalized in the DR which is the biggest reason why Americans do not invest there but Spaniards do. Spaniards know how to manipulate the corrupt at there own game and have the upper hand over Dominicans in many deals, showing them a few tricks too. Americans have their hands tied and face US federal prison if caught bribing or knowingly concealing corruption in any conspiracy to bribe any authority. In the DR every government official has his hand out from the lowly clerk asking for "el pasaje" to the highest official asking for a suitcase of 100 dollar bills.
Smaller
Bigger
Close Gallery
Facebook
Digg this
del.icio.us
Technorati
Yahoo
there is little doubt that this country is better off economically than ever before but I am at a loss to understand why Leonel does not take a firmer line against the corrupt officials.
Why should he when he is the #1 crook.
Could it possible that he is a puppet for the political machine and, as such, is doing all he is allowed to? We all know that the armed forces rule and shall always rule in DR, so there is only so far he could step out of line before, you know, he is dispose of. Think about it...this is a remote possibility, but not altogether improbable.
I fundamentally do not believe that change could come to the DR via legislation, and that it will have to be attained through revolution, perhaps something similar to the French revolution. For many of these people, I believe, there is no possibility of redemption, and they should be summarily hung from the nearest lamp post, after a five minute trial by the people-of course. This would send a strong message to those contemplating wanton pillaging and undue privileges. It is harsh, but it may be the only process that will work.
Wow i can't believe such a intelletual like you have not visited the coutry in 25 yrs i don't think i can do that my self. i haven't been there in 1 yrs and i'm home sick already but anyways. I have said many times that we are hoping for something to happen but unless every city in DR gets a Jose La Bela like in san francisco had in 95 we won't see any real change. Jose la bela is a legend because he stood up to corruption even when he have even when he could have died and i'm proud the whole city supported him back then and i was in frontlines there too. I wish many dominican come to this City and see it for your self what it could be if we follow this model nation wide. I know you all heard many bad stories about but the reality is San Francisco is still what DR used to be in the 60s a city full of brave people willing to fight with moral values for whats right and wrong.
So what else is new? It doesn't take a genius to know that corruption is completely institutionalized in the DR which is the biggest reason why Americans do not invest there but Spaniards do. Spaniards know how to manipulate the corrupt at there own game and have the upper hand over Dominicans in many deals, showing them a few tricks too. Americans have their hands tied and face US federal prison if caught bribing or knowingly concealing corruption in any conspiracy to bribe any authority. In the DR every government official has his hand out from the lowly clerk asking for "el pasaje" to the highest official asking for a suitcase of 100 dollar bills.