Social networks abuzz as deputy offers colleague a ‘whipping’

Santo Domingo.- Dominican Republic’s socialnetworks went abuzz Friday to support National District deputy Faride Raful, afterNoe Camacho, of the ruling party (PLD), threatened to "whip" her withhis belt.

The incident exploded during a discussion inwhich Raful, of the opposition party (PRM) criticized the way in which Chamberof Deputies approved a US$600 million bond to continue construction of theGovernment’s controversial coal-fired power plants at Punta Catalina, Baní(south).

On the video which turned viral shows when Camachostrikes his desk repeatedly, but affirms that his intention wasn’t to mistreathis colleague, but to make a call to cease what he says was a lack of respect inthe Chamber instead.

Interviewed on a radio talk show Camacho saidFaride seemed to want to "spank" all of the deputies. "For youto propose your views, you have to do it with respect."

Users of the social networks rained support forthe opposition deputy and critique against Camacho’s behavior, to the pointthat many of his constituents in northern Espaillat province demanded hisexpulsion.