SANTO DOMINGO. – Dominican Republic’s Senate majority leader today rebuked a journalist for asking his view on the Electoral Board president’s request that senators suspend until after the elections, dipping their hands for extra money paid by taxpayers monthly into a fund known as the "barrilito" (little barrel).

Reinaldo Pared Perez, the ruling PLD party’s General Secretary and senator for the National District, called El Caribe reporter Oscar Quezada “disrespectful” when stating that the barrilito case is "closed," and wouldn’t speak about JCE president Julio Cesar Castaños’ proposal.

"You’re disrespectful!," the usually measured legislator said visibly annoyed, when the reporter insisted on a response.

Not one senator or deputy has refused to collect the extra money in the “little barrel,” leaving Dominican voters with little leeway after many affirmed having voted for the “lesser of two evils” in the 2010 presidential election.