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The San Juan Daily Star

Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Te invita

GOOD MORNING

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January 24, 2017

The San Juan Daily Star, the only paper with News Service in English in Puerto Rico, publishes 7 days a week, with a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday ediƟon, along with a Weekend EdiƟon to cover Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Rosselló Pushes for 5-Year Fiscal Plan, Requests 45 More Days to Submit It BY MARIA MIRANDA SIERRA [email protected]

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INDEX Local Mainland Business InternaƟonal Viewpoint Entertainment Pets

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Kitchen NoƟcias en Español Legal NoƟces Sports Games Horoscope Cartoons

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ov. Ricardo Rosselló’s representative before the Financial Oversight and Management Board, Elías Sánchez, on Monday insisted on presenting a fiveyear fiscal plan rather than a 10-year plan that he said could have greater impact on the island’s population. In a letter addressed to José Carrión III, chairman of the oversight board, Sánchez also insisted that the board extend an additional 45 days for the governor to submit and certify a fiscal turnaround plan. This way, Rosselló would have until May 1 to turn in the new administration’s fiscal plan, after the one presented by former Gov. Alejandro García Padilla was rejected by the board. Sánchez said the government had previously stated its intention to work collaboratively with the oversight board in the creation of a fiscal plan that is consistent with the statutory requirements set forth in the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management and Economic Stability Act (PROMESA). “Fiscal plans by nature are documents that are subject to change during implementation and execution due to several variables, including unforeseen economic fluctuations that may impact multi-year projections,” Sánchez said. “As such, a ‘once and done’ approach may not be the best approach to dealing with a 10-year fiscal planning document that will have a dramatic impact on the lives of 3.5 million citizens. Our commitment is to work together with the Oversight Board toward approving a fiscal plan that is consistent with statutory requirements set forth in [PROMESA], i.e. a five-year plan that is consistent with the termination of the Board’s charter within 10 years and that achieves structural balance. “We see no reason to preclude the adoption of a second fiscal plan that is consistent with the first certified fiscal plan and extends it for a longer or additional term.” Sánchez further noted that the Rosselló administration has publicly and personally stated to the board in a meeting on Jan. 13 that it will not seek short-term liquidity loans or near-term financing that could restrict fiscal options. “It has been the governor’s decision to face the upcoming operational and budgetary challenges through structural reforms and spending cuts during the stay period,” Sánchez noted. He said further that the development and implementation of a liquidity plan that addresses anticipated cash shortfalls at least through the “duration of the stay in a manner that is acceptable to the Board by no later than Jan. 30” will include the government’s protocol for priori-

ty of payments and public disclosure. Sánchez said the Puerto Rico Fiscal Agency and Financial Advisory Authority (AAFAF by its Spanish initials) is currently working with its advisers to “complete a liquidity plan that meets the set forth conditions.” “Our target date is Jan. 27 as per the revised milestone date agreed upon on Jan. 20,” he noted. “On or before Jan. 30, AAFAF will submit the government’s protocol for priority of payments and their public disclosure. Visibility on the cash position of the government is critical, and to that end a 13-week rolling cash flow forecasting report for virtually all government budgets should be put in place and delivered to the Board within two weeks and weekly thereafter.” Sánchez went on to say that to facilitate the forensic accounting review, the government should deliver to the board by this Wednesday a document detailing the bridge between the 2014 audited financial statements and the fiscal plan baseline scenario that includes details on all line items and assumptions. Last week, Rosselló also wrote the board and said that as his administration has detailed in its Plan for Puerto Rico, viewing the government as a single employer will allow “us to implement dramatic structural reforms in reducing the size of government without incurring mass layoffs that will have a dramatic effect on the local economy by preventing growth.” “If we are granted the requested 45-day extension for the certification of the fiscal plan, our team will work together with your advisers to present different scenarios of overhead reduction and reduced government structures that can produce the required savings,” Rosselló said. “Our aim is to reduce the complexity and bureaucracy of the 118 government agencies to a streamlined and efficient 35-40 agency government as part of the 10-year fiscal plan.”

Continues on page 4

Elías Sánchez

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The San Juan Daily Star

Tuesday, January 24, 2017

From page 3 Last week, the board issued a public statement responding to Rosselló’s letter. “The Board received this afternoon a letter from Gov. Rosselló …” reads the statement. “The Board will study the governor’s letter and will provide an appropriate response in due course and, in the meantime, awaits the governor’s response to the conditions the Oversight Board outlined in its letter to extend the time to submit the fiscal plan and the stay provided for in PROMESA.” The statement adds that the Board reiterates its best inten-

tions to work in collaboration with Rosselló and his administration in pursuing the “PROMESA objectives of a structurally balanced budget, restoring Puerto Rico’s access to the capital markets, ensuring the funding of essential government services, provide adequate funding for pension systems and foster the capital investments necessary to promote economic growth in Puerto Rico.” As reported in the STAR, the board “informed” Rosselló last week that it is “favorably inclined to extend the deadline for submitting its fiscal plan to the Board until Feb. 28 such that the Board may certify the fiscal plan by no later than March 15.”

“This extension will be formally considered at the Board’s next public meeting later this month and would be contingent upon the government meeting and adhering to a set of conditions and timelines, including a commitment not to take more loans to provide short-term liquidity, develop a liquidity plan and provide further financial information, among others,” read a statement issued last Wednesday. Similarly, the Oversight Board informed Rosselló it is “favorably inclined to extend the PROMESA automatic stay on creditor litigation, in accordance with PROMESA, until May 1, 2017, subject to the same conditions.”

Unions Laud Governor’s Stance Against Control Board Demands A

group of island labor organizations, which together represent more than 100,000 workers, sent a letter to Gov. Ricardo Rosselló Nevares on Monday in which they support his response to the federal fiscal control board. In a letter to the board late last week, the governor rejected the austerity measures proposed by the body created by the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management and Economic Stability Act (PROMESA). “We agree that the tax burden on workers and the poor cannot be further increased, while tax exemptions are given to mega corporations and millionaires, and we agree that the health of our people or access to the health care services not be sacrificed,” said the missive signed by the leadership of eight public and private sector unions. “It is also correct to disagree with the proposed cuts to pensions and the proposal to limit access to education for our children and young people.” In his letter to the board on Friday, the governor rejected the bulk of the measures proposed by the board to the government of Puerto Rico to include in its fiscal plan.

In their communication the unions said they have been “emphatic in expressing, pointing out and documenting that proposals aimed at further impoverishing workers and pensioners are not the alternatives for our country to exit the economic crisis, or bring economic development.” “This is why we reject the policy of layoffs, austerity, the reduction of labor benefits and the increase or imposition of new taxes on the people, as well as other measures aimed at deregulating environmental protections, privatizing public goods and devaluing social welfare programs.” The unions clarified that in supporting the statements of Rosselló, they also urge him “to stop all legislation of his administration in the legislative bodies directed at impoverishing the Puerto Rican working class depriving it of the few rights that still cover it today.” “We invite you to sit down with us to discuss, review and look for alternatives that do not contain [proposals] aimed at impoverishing or limiting, reducing or eliminating labor rights in the private or public sector,” said the letter the unionists sent to La Fortaleza. The signatory organizations are the General Work-

ers Union, United Public Servants, Puerto Rican Workers’ Union, Puerto Rico Workers’ Federation, Puerto Rico Teachers’ Association, OPEIU, United Auto Workers and the Central Federation of Workers.

Governor Meets with Legislative Leaders

Bhatia on Ferrer’s Aspirations: PDP G Can’t Be Party of ‘Caudillos’

By JOHN McPHAUL [email protected]

By JOHN McPHAUL [email protected]

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en Eduardo Bhatia said Monday in response to Héctor Ferrer’s ambitions to preside over the Popular Democratic Party (PDP) that the party cannot be a “a party of caudillos.” Bhatia said “I have affection and respect for Héctor, but the PDP cannot continue being a party of caudillos.” “The people have to take control of the party,” the former Senate president said. “The hard and difficult discussions have to be linked to an enormous mobilization.” The politician said “the people have to realize

that participating in political parties is important.” “Whoever is the president, we have to see this from another perspective, that it be a civic crusade of the citizens,” he said He added that “we will see if one emerges, it may be Héctor, but I am focusing on the process and, apart from the person, it cannot be a party of caudillos.” “For me it is irrelevant who the president of the party is; for me the important thing is the process,” Bhatia said. “Anyone who wants to aspire must aspire, but it must be a citizen-driven process. What is good for the PDP is that there is an opening and that it is real.” Bhatia, after meeting with Gov. Rosselló, said he is not a candidate for PDP president “at this moment.”

ov. Ricardo Rosselló Nevares met in his La Fortaleza office Monday with Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz and House Speaker Carlos “Johnny” Méndez to discuss this week’s legislative agenda. The meeting occurred at a time when the House was expected to approve the Labor reform and status plebiscite bills. In addition, the meeting occurred the same day that a letter was delivered signed by Elías Sánchez Sifonte, representative of Puerto Rico before the fiscal control board, in which the government denied that Gov. Rosselló is looking for a shortterm loan to obtain liquidity. The letter also indicates that the administration has complied with the conditions imposed by the board to be granted additional time to prepare the fiscal plan and that already work has begun on the various reports required by the board.

The San Juan Daily Star

Tuesday, January 24, 2017

NPP Invites PDP to Join Discussion on Special Communities Overhaul

Ramón Rosario BY MARIA MIRANDA SIERRA [email protected]

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a Fortaleza Public Affairs Secretary Ramón Rosario called on the Popular Democratic Party (PDP) delegation to join the new administration in the discussion of legislation that will create the Socio-Economic and Community Development Office. In a written statement sent early Monday, Rosario said the measure is being worked on with community leaders and with independent Sen. José Vargas Vidot. “We invite Popular Democratic Party Rep. Rafael ‘Tatito’ Hernández, who is also the House minority leader, and his delegation to join the discussion, if his interest is to collaborate,” Rosario said. Rosario further invited the PDP delegation to read pages 160 through 196 of Gov. Ricardo Rosselló’s government plan, entitled the “Plan for Puerto Rico,” in which a commitment to the communities was laid out and which “was endorsed by Puerto Ricans at the voting booths.” “The people endorsed profound changes to the Special Communities Office that was dismantled and had become non-operational,” Rosario said. “This new office will organize management with the third sector [non-profit organizations] and will ensure community development. This way we will be able to give efficient form to the services that the third sector and the communities need.” A group of PDP lawmakers has characterized the “elimination” of the Special Communities Office as “another attempt against the poor.” Rosario noted that Rosselló promised that the bill will seek to provide resources to the communities and the third sector or nonprofits so they can be more efficient.

“For example, this new office will be in charge of the management of the federal funds [assigned] to the Family and Children Administration (ADFAN by its Spanish acronym) and the Municipal Affairs Commissioner’s Office for the integrated development of our communities,” Rosario added. The PDP lawmakers who oppose the legislation said the New Progressive Party (NPP) majority is intent on ramming through a repeal of the Special Communities program. “Just as with the Labor Reform, the administration of Gov. Ricardo Rosselló and his Legislature have moved quickly to eliminate the few victories that our most vulnerable social classes have achieved in recent decades,” PDP Rep. José ‘Conny’ Varela said. The PDP lawmaker said that during a public hearing before the House Government Committee on House Bill 6 last Thursday, community leaders expressed their dissatisfaction over not being included in the drafting of the bill or having been invited to participate in a meaningful way in the discussion of the NPP legislation. PDP Rep. Carlos Bianchi said the NPP majority didn’t even have the “courage” to summon all community leaders to depose at the public hearing. “The government that promised transparency has become less transparent in record time,” Bianchi said. Varela called it troubling that the Committee “didn’t obtain the opinion of the mayors, or the Office of Management and Budget, on the economic impact that this bill could have.” “In this case, it’s a bill that affects the poorest communities,” Varela said. The PDP lawmakers agreed with a portion of the legislation stating an intention to eliminate government bureaucracy and supporting non-profit organizations; however, they worry about the impact it could have on the communities, they said. PDP Rep. Aníbal Díaz said the legislation “would eliminate all types of political partisan restriction in the management of funds assigned to the communities.” Finally, the PDP lawmakers called on House Government Committee Chairman Georgie Navarro and House Speaker Johnny Méndez to allow the Special Community leaders sufficient time to express themselves on the legislation, which will directly affect them and the communities in which they live.

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If You Own or Lease or Previously Owned, Purchased, or Leased Certain Toyota Tacoma, Tundra or Sequoia Vehicles, You Could Get %HQH¿WVIURPD&ODVV$FWLRQ6HWWOHPHQW

Para ver este aviso en español, visita www.ToyotaFrameSettlement.com There is a proposed settlement that has been preliminarily approved in a class action lawsuit against Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. (“Toyota”) concerning certain Toyota Tacoma, Tundra and Sequoia vehicles. Those included in the settlement have legal rights and options that must be exercised by certain deadlines.

What is the lawsuit about? The lawsuit alleges that the frames of certain Toyota Tacoma, Tundra and Sequoia vehicles lack adequate rust protection, resulting in premature rust corrosion of the vehicles’ frames. Toyota denies that it has violated any law, denies that it engaged in any and all wrongdoing, and denies that the Tacoma, Tundra and Sequoia vehicles’ frames are defective. The Court did not decide which side was right. Instead, the parties decided to settle.

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Subject to certain limited exclusions, you are included if as of December 2, 2016, % You own or owned, purchase(d), or lease(d) a Subject Vehicle that was % Distributed for sale or lease in any of the fifty States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico or any of the territories or possession of the United States. The Subject Vehicles are Model Year 2005–2010 Toyota Tacoma, Model Year 2007–2008 Toyota Tundra, and Model Year 2005–2008 Toyota Sequoia vehicles. The class includes persons, entities and/or organizations. This settlement does not involve claims of personal injury, wrongful death or actual physical property damage arising from an accident involving the Subject Vehicles.

:KDWGRHVWKHVHWWOHPHQWSURYLGH" The proposed settlement provides for: a free Frame Inspection and Replacement Program through which Toyota Dealers will, upon your request, inspect the frames on the Subject Vehicles to determine whether your Subject Vehicle’s frame should be replaced. If the frame needs to be replaced because it satisfies the Rust Perforation Standard, replacement of the frame and associated parts will be at no cost to you. If the frame does not meet the criteria for frame replacement, under certain circumstances, the Toyota Dealer will apply Corrosion-Resistant Compounds (“CRC”) at no cost to you, pursuant to the Inspection Protocol. The settlement also reimburses Class Members who previously paid out-ofpocket for frame replacement due to rust perforation that satisfies the Rust Perforation Standard that were incurred prior to January 3, 2017, and that were not otherwise reimbursed.

:KDWDUHP\RSWLRQV" Stay in the Class and receive settlement benefits. You can have your vehicle’s frame inspected or seek reimbursement for frame replacement costs you already paid for yourself, pursuant to the terms of the Settlement Agreement. The deadline to submit Claim Forms is sixty (60) days after the Court issues the Final Order and Final Judgment, which will occur, if approved, after the Fairness Hearing. If you do nothing, you will remain in the class and receive the benefits of the settlement, but will not be able to sue Toyota. You can exclude yourself by March 27, 2017, if you do not want to be part of the settlement. You will not get any settlement benefits, but you keep the right to sue Toyota about the issues in the lawsuit. You can object to all or part of the settlement by March 27, 2017, if you do not exclude yourself. The full notice describes how to obtain settlement relief, exclude yourself, and object. The Court will hold a fairness hearing on April 27, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific time to (a) consider whether the proposed settlement is fair, reasonable, and adequate, and (b) decide the plaintiffs’ lawyers’ request for attorneys’ fees of up to $9.75 million and costs and expenses of up to $150,000 and awards of up to $2,500 for each of the Class Representatives. The motion for attorneys’ fees and costs and plaintiff incentive awards will be posted on the website after they are filed. You may appear at the hearing, but you are not required to and you may hire an attorney to appear for you, at your own expense.

For more information or a claim form

1-800-481-7948 ǁǁǁ͘dŽLJŽƚĂ&ƌĂŵĞ^ĞƩůĞŵĞŶƚ͘ĐŽŵ

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The San Juan Daily Star

Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Woman Slain by Ex-Boyfriend Had Protection Order By MARIA MIRANDA SIERRA [email protected]

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he violent death of a 31-year-old woman in the southern town of Juana Díaz was reported in the wee hours Monday, Police officials announced. The woman was killed by her former boyfriend in her residence on Arturio Street in the town’s Cristina community. The victim’s two children were at home when the crime took place, police said. Corrections and Rehabilitation Secretary Erick Rolón said the killer has been identified as Félix Ramos Domínguez, 33, who had four domestic violence cases against him from different former partners. In Monday’s case, the woman, whom police have not yet identified, had a valid protection order against her killer. In a written statement, Women’s Advocate

Ileana Aymat Ríos said she will be meeting with Rolón to discuss the prevention measures that are needed in such cases. Aymat Ríos said she anticipates proposing changes to the processes related to protection orders. “From day one, in coordination with the Corrections Department, we envisioned two issues as priorities: the electronic monitoring bracelets that are not preventing violent incidents, and the protection orders themselves,” Aymat Ríos said. “We have always said that protection orders are not ... shields -- they don’t prevent a violent person, an aggressor, from attacking again,” Aymat Ríos said. “These victims are typically part of what we can describe as a vicious cycle. A protection order has to be accompanied with other measures, a support system from the core family, a lot of awareness on the part of the victims and prompt action from the Police.”

“Our plan at the Women’s Advocate Office is aimed at prevention and control, working hand in hand with non-profit organizations so that nowhere is there a lack of information needed to address these cases,” Aymat Ríos added. Ileana Aymat Ríos

Justice Dept. Reorganization Stresses Responsiveness By MARIA MIRANDA SIERRA [email protected]

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ustice Secretary-designate Wanda Vázquez announced on Monday that as part of an evaluation of the Puerto Rico Justice Department, a total of 52 prosecutors, advocates and district prosecutors have been transferred to the 13 Children’s Prosecutor and Advocacy Centers established in courthouses across the island. Wanda Vázquez

The purpose of the transfers is to strengthen agency operations and services offered to law enforcement agencies and to citizens at all of the Justice Department’s Prosecutor Centers. The transfers are meant in particular to shore up services at some Prosecutor Centers that were left “unbalanced” by staff requests for unpaid leave, taking into account the experience of these professionals and the number of cases processed in the regions assigned to them. The Justice Department also took into consideration the needs of the district prosecutors, the place of residence of the deputy and special prosecutors, their experience and development, and the volume of cases under investigation in each jurisdiction. “... [W]e carried out an analysis of the 13 Children’s Prosecutor and Advocacy Centers,” Vázquez said. “Because the Justice Department is the place where citizens come to seek justice to vindicate their rights, this reorganization was essential. We want responsiveness and transparency in investigations, processing with firmness but sensitivity for the people who suffer from the ravages of crime. We hope that these changes inject new strength and encouragement to each one of the 13 centers for investigation and criminal prosecution.”

Vázquez added that each of the prosecutors carries a professional background of excellence in the handling of criminal cases, and “we are confident that it will produce the real effect of restoring the confidence of the people of Puerto Rico in the Justice Department.” “We want a full-on battle against organized crime and zero tolerance for corruption,” she said. “We want to achieve partnerships to fight drug trafficking and weapons that overwhelm and frighten our citizens, and for those who commit the crimes to no longer feel the tranquility of impunity.” Also as part of the reorganization, Vázquez announced that Monday also marked the opening of the Public Ministry Academy, in which 19 new prosecutors, in addition to various children and family advocates, started to receive specialized training in criminal investigation and processing. Among the subjects taught to these professionals are criminal investigation, interviewing witnesses, discovery of proof, questioning suspects, records and raids, application of the rules of evidence, use of technology during the investigative phase and trials by jury. The courses will last a month and a half, and once they are completed, the 19 new prosecutors will be begin work in their assigned regions.

The San Juan Daily Star

Tuesday, January 24, 2017

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1 in Hospital as CIC Probes SanSe Shootings, Fest Add-On Day Called Off By PEGGY ANN BLISS Special to The STAR [email protected]

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onday’s canceled celebration in honor of the White House commutation of the sentence of long-imprisoned Puerto Rican nationalist Oscar López Rivera will be reprogrammed for the day of his return, after he gets out of prison in May. The decision to cancel the five-hour extension of concerts was a reaction to two separate shooting incidents in which two young men were wounded early Friday, the first full day of the San Sebastián Festival in Old San Juan. One hospitalized victim’s wife was being interviewed Monday by the Criminal Investigation Corps (CIC), as was the other victim and several eye witnesses. Videos were also being scrutinized to determine the motive and perpetrator of the incidents. The last-minute clemency action by President Barack Obama just before completion of his term last week was met with the announcement by San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz Soto of the extension of the iconic

Photo by Héctor René Santos

three-day festival celebration. Although Cruz had long lobbied vigorously for López Rivera’s release, she made her decision to cancel almost as quickly as she apparently programmed the extension. López Rivera will leave prison in Terre Haute, Ind., on May 17, after almost 36 years of incarceration for his involvement with terrorist activities to promote Puerto Rican independence. The San Sebastián native will spend an undetermined time in Chicago, where he lived

previous to his imprisonment, before returning to Puerto Rico, where he lived for the first 14 years of his life. About 18 hours after the festivities had begun with a parade, heightened by triumphant demonstrations over López Rivera’s release, the incident broke out. The situation caused security forces to empty the inner city in the space of one and a half hours, the mayor said. Cruz Soto announced the cancelation at 1:49 a.m Saturday through her Twitter account. Coast Guard petty officer Mathew David Tommie, 31, underwent surgery for kidney damage but was in stable condition Monday afternoon in the Río Piedras Medical Center. The Alabama native, assigned to La Puntilla, was hit by gunfire from a .40-caliber pistol. The CIC also interviewed Daniel López Brugueras, 20, who was wounded in the buttocks. Police urged anyone with information about the shootings should cooperate with the investigation and call (787) 793-1234, Ext. 2201/02 or the confidential tip line at (787)-343-2020. San Juan Police Chief Col. Reinaldo Bermúdez said a fight broke out in front of La Tortuga pizzeria moments before the shootings.

Mayor Declares 1st San Sebastián Day Fiesta in Cataño a Success By JOHN McPHAUL [email protected]

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ataño Mayor Félix Delgado Montalvo, described as “successful” the celebration of the first edition of “De Cataño pa’ las Fiestas,” an event that ended Sunday night with no regrettable incidents, a positive balance for waterfront establishments and the birth of the mayor’s first child, Nixon. “I was proud of our people and of the thousands

of visitors who supported this initiative,” the mayor said. “It was a perfect weekend, so perfect that there was not one crime and the birth of our first child put icing on the cake.” The event with which the municipality managed to stimulate economic activity in Cataño began last Thursday and organizers estimate that it gathered about 95,000 citizens who started out at the traditional San Sebastián Street Festival in Old San Juan. “Cataño is fashionable. Many people stayed here,” the mayor said. “We achieved our goal of ac-

tivating the economy of the town; our merchants felt the impact of the passage of over 45,000 people through the terminal of the Maritime Transport Authority [ATM by its Spanish acronym].” Delgado Montalvo said the event “became a reality thanks to the sponsors and the promoter, who understood the concept.” “The municipality was in charge of cleaning, coordination of logistics and security, and for the ATM employees, who helped us with transportation, I give my recognition,” the mayor said.

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Tuesday, January 24, 2017

The San Juan Daily Star

Rosselló Says He Will Follow Trump’s Lead, Put Puerto Rico First By JOHN McPHAUL [email protected]

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ov. Ricardo Rosselló Nevares said that if for U.S. President Donald Trump America is first, then Puerto Rico must be on the list of priorities. “Puerto Rico is part of America. And if it’s America First, it’s Puerto Rico First, too,” Rosselló told the local press. “I’m going to be a spokesman for this position. Our resident commissioner will also do it, our Senate, the House leadership also,” the governor added. “If it’s ‘America First,’ Puerto Rico is part of America, and then they have to take action ‘first.’” His statements were in part a reiteration of the letter sent last Friday to the members of the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management and Eco-

nomic Stability Act (PROMESA), who among other things insisted on additional cuts in the government health program, the University of Puerto Rico, government payroll and pensions. “The federal government is part of this. And they have to do their part,” Rosselló said. “The fiscal control board is already doing its job, recognizing the magnitude of the problem. But we, as the government, are the ones who establish public policy. There we have the dispute. They made some suggestions, which we did not accept well, and urge that instead they look at others that we had already established.” Meanwhile, Puerto Rican Independence Party (PIP) leader Fernando Martín said the Trump Administration could succeed where past administrations have failed in changing Puerto Rico’s colonial status.

“Trump is unpredictable, so we don’t know what he is going to do, while in past administrations we knew what they were going to do, which was nothing,” Martín said.

Labor Reform Law Bound for Governor’s Desk After House Approval By JOHN McPHAUL [email protected]

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he Puerto Rico House of Representatives on Monday approved the labor reform promoted by the administration of Gov. Ricardo Rosselló Nevares, and the measure will now go to La Fortaleza for the governor to sign it into law despite the objections of unions and opposition political parties. The “Labor Transformation and Flexibility Act” passed by the House had already been approved by the Senate last Thursday, with minority opposition.

The legislation includes the amendments suggested by the House to ensure the creation of jobs and the protection of workers’ rights. In addition, it will maintain at 12 the annual accumulated number of sick days for each employee. Also, the considerations outlined in the new law reduce the probationary period to nine months. In the original text of the measure emanating from La Fortaleza, the period was set at 18 months. After reviewing its contents, it was stipulated that for those employees protected by the Federal Labor Standard, the probationary pe-

riod will be 12 months, while for the rest of the workers the span will be nine months. The probation can never be more than nine months, but it could be less, as long as there has been an agreement with the employer. Another amendment in the measure relates to the breastfeeding period to be provided by small and midsize enterprises. The amended bill increases the time that mothers have to breastfeed or draw milk from 15 to 30 minutes for every four hours worked. Also, the burden of proof in the case of unjustified dismissal will continue to fall on the employer.

US Tourist in Manatí Swept Off Rocks, Drowns A

uthorities say a 31-year-old tourist from California has drowned along Puerto Rico’s north coast. Police on Monday said Hubert Chim was taking pictures of himself on top of a rock when

a wave swept him away. They said he died Sunday afternoon at La Poza de Las Mujeres beach in the town of Manatí. Chim lived in Los Angeles, according to his social media accounts.