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The San Juan Daily Star

Wednesday, January 18, 2017

Te invita

GOOD MORNING

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January 18, 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.

Oscar López Rivera to Be Freed After 36 Years in US Prison By JOHN McPHAUL [email protected]

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he United States government announced Tuesday the release of Puerto Rican nationalist Oscar López Rivera, who has been imprisoned in the U.S. for 36 years on charges of seditious conspiracy related to his efforts to free Puerto Rico from U.S. colonial rule. Outgoing U.S. President Barack Obama commuted López Rivera’s sentence, which will expire on May 17, according to a White House source consulted by the EFE news agency. Obama also pardoned 64 people, including convicted Army leaker Chelsea Manning and retired Gen. James Cartwright, who was charged with making false statements during a probe into disclosure of classified information. López Rivera, born in Puerto Rico in 1943, is an independence leader in his native island. Upon returning to Chicago after serving in the Vietnam War, he joined the struggle for the rights of the Puerto Rican people and participated in acts of civil disobedience and other actions. In 1976 he joined the clandestine fight for the independence of Puerto Rico as a member of the Armed Forces of National Liberation (FALN by its Spanish acronym). In 1981 he was captured by the FBI and accused of “conspiracy” and for his militancy in the FALN, which claimed responsibility for dozens of attacks in the United States that caused six deaths. López Rivera has proclaimed his innocence, saying he had no connection to the acts of violence. “If federal agencies had a fingerprint of me associating with anything in which there were dead, I would be sentenced to life imprisonment,” he said in his most recent interview with the local daily El Nuevo Dia on Dec. 1. At the time of his capture, he proclaimed himself a prisoner of war, protected in the first protocol of the Geneva Convention of 1949. The protocol protects López Rivera for being a person arrested in conflict against colonial occupation. The U.S. did not recognize the demand of López Rivera and sentenced him to 55 years in prison, after an alleged attempt to escape, the sentence increased to 70 years in prison, 12 of which have been spent in solitary confinement. Former U.S. President Bill Clinton in 1999 offered him a pardon. The offer was made to 13 members who accepted, but López Rivera rejected it because it included completing 10 years in jail with good behavior. Leaders from around the world, as well as human rights organizations, have demanded the release of López Rivera. Puerto Ricans from across the political spectrum reacted jubilantly to the news of López Rivera’s release. “Justice was done. I am more than content,” said Puerto Rican Independence Party (PIP) leader Fernando Martín. “This is a triumph of hope because it shows once again that when

Puerto Ricans stand up with only one voice, like we did when we made the Navy leave Vieques, even the President of the United Oscar López Rivera States has to take notice. Now there is hope that the same can be accomplished with the decolonization of Puerto Rico.” New Progressive Party Gov. Ricardo Rosselló wrote to Obama before his inauguration to urge the U.S. president to free López Rivera. Representatives from virtually every island religious domination also called for his release. Caguas Mayor William Miranda Torres expressed jubilation that “Oscar López Rivera will be released and can return to the homeland he loves.” “It is with deep joy to know that the thousands of souls who joined in and out of Puerto Rico in prayer, petitions and actions for Barack Obama to exercise his pardon power were heard,” said Miranda Torres, of the pro-commonwealth Popular Democratic Party (PDP). “The release of Oscar López Rivera is an act of humanity and a civil rights issue that the outgoing president of the United States could not ignore.” PDP Loíza Mayor Julia Nazario Fuentes said she received the news “with love and joy.” “This struggle has been made by people of all religions, parties and groups,” she said. “This achievement is a good example to all of what we can do when we are a united people, those who live here and those who live outside Puerto Rico. When Oscar returns to the island we want him to come to Loíza. We will receive him with open arms.” U.S. Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-N.Y.) thanked Obama in a written statement “for taking this step, an act of magnanimous grace.” “I also want to thank all the activists, elected officials and ordinary Puerto Ricans who labored tirelessly to secure Oscar’s freedom,” said Velázquez, who is Puerto Rican. “Over the many years of his imprisonment, Oscar López Rivera has become a symbol for all Puerto Ricans, whether on the island or among the diaspora. His struggle is our struggle and in many ways represents the pain and the journey that all Puerto Ricans have and are living.” Martín said he doesn’t know if López Rivera will take a leadership role in Puerto Rico’s independence struggle upon his release. “I don’t have the slightest idea, but he should not be pressured, we should not push forward any criteria and instead let him make his future plans,” Martín said. On June 18, 2012, the U.N. Decolonization Committee approved a resolution, promoted by Cuba, in which it called for recognition of Puerto Rico’s right to independence and selfdetermination and urged the release of the pro-independence detainees in the United States.

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The San Juan Daily Star

Wednesday, January 18, 2017

New Labor Law Seen as Boon for Business, Anathema to Workers By PEGGY ANN BLISS Special to The STAR [email protected]

Manuel Natal

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he “mis-named labor reform law,” as passed in the House [of Representatives], will not create jobs because it is “strictly an ideological bill not based on evidence,” said Manuel Natal, the Popular Democratic Party (PDP) spokesman on the House Labor Affairs Committee. Natal said he plans to present a bill this week to increase the minimum wage, which was not addressed in the controversial House Bill 453, introduced by Gov. Rosselló. Labor leaders say the bill favors private industry and ignores the workers, who were not even invited to present their objections before the measure went to a vote. After perfunctory public hearings Thursday, in which several organizations representing business testified, the bill was rushed through the House, with a nod to workers in a few minor changes. All changes were discussed with La Fortaleza and Sen. Miguel Romero, who chairs the Government Committee, which will now evaluate the legislation in the Senate. Labor Secretary-designate Carlos Saavedra, who did testify, said no one wrote to the email he set up to receive suggestions. In his turn at the hearings, he said the bill “seeks to make Puerto Rico an attractive jurisdiction to set up business and create job opportunities.” The governor also acknowledged that no one heard the workers’ point of view, but that he was “open to anyone who wished to object” to the bill. He did not specify how many jobs could be created with the proposed law. The measure, approved by voice vote Saturday in the House, includes -- among other things -- the elimination of the Closing Law and the introduction of “flextime,” and applies only to new employees. In presenting the original bill in a press conference, Rosselló said that “for some companies, it just isn’t good business to do business in Puerto Rico.” The law was amended in 1997 under the administration of the governor’s father, Gov. Pedro Rosselló, and has been revised over the years. Saturday’s vote, which is not final, was achieved after much debate between

the majority New Progressive Party (NPP), which insisted such a law would create more jobs, and the Popular Democratic Party, which said the opposite would be the case. The 89-page bill would create the Law of Labor Transformation and Flexibility, which would eliminate the Closing Law and introduce labor law reform. It would also decrease the percentage of salary used to calculate the Christmas Bonus, decrease the number of sick days and vacation days and create an optional flextime system. “This bill, based on the premise that flexibility will create jobs, instead takes rights away from workers,” Natal said. “Not one study has been shown to prove that by taking away rights, you create jobs.” He noted that the backers of the measure are the Manufacturers Association, the Chamber of Food Marketing, Industry and Distribution (MIDA by its Spanish acronym), the Restaurant Association of Puerto Rico, the Public Accountants Association, Made in Puerto Rico Association and the Wholesale Association. He said he does not know of any evidence that fewer labor benefits bring more development and increased investment. On the contrary, he said, studies show that rigidity and an excess of labor laws are the main ingredients of job scarcity. Juan Vega, president of the Popular Public Servants organization, spoke out Monday against the proposed law. “Public servants are outraged at the approval of this so-called labor reform,” he

said in a press release. “Hard-won workers’ rights have been eliminated, creating a hostile environment. Private sector employees will be given a heavier workload, fewer ways to be compensated and greater risk of being terminated,” Vega said. “The approval of this nefarious law is a double blow to the thousands of Puerto Ricans working in the private sector, with unsuspected implications for public servants. These families didn’t imagine that those who had promised to create more jobs would take away their rights and put at risk thousands of jobs. This government does not differentiate between public servants or private enterprise when attacking us. We must unite to defend our job security and the economic development of Puerto Rico.” Acknowledging that there are jurisdictions with friendlier labor laws, Economic Development and Commerce Secretary Manuel Laboy said “taking away labor rights does not generate jobs or improve entrepreneurial competition, but only widens the gap between rich and poor.” Laboy, who nevertheless endorsed the bill, noted that the employment rate in October 2016, was at [almost 40 percent] and in that sense, the bill helps by creating greater job opportunities.” Alternate House PDP spokesman Ramón Luis Cruz Burgos expressed outrage in a press release at what he considered “an attack on workers in private business.” “This labor reform that the NPP refers to is nothing more than a Law 7 for private

employees,” he said. “During the campaign we expressed concern over proposed cuts and possible firing of public employees, but we never thought the new government planned to eliminate workers in the private sector.” NPP Rep. Ángel Peña Ramírez, chairman of the House Labor Affairs Committee, which also endorsed the bill, recommended amendments after public hearings Thursday. Some included reducing the probation period for new workers from 18 to 12 months, stressing that flextime must be completely voluntary and shifting the burden of proof to the employer in case of litigation between the two parties. “This bill is aimed at creating jobs that are going to Florida, Texas, North Carolina and California,” he claimed. Peña Ramírez acknowledged that the final text did not contain a recommendation from labor. Among those who did testify were the Labor and Human Resources Department, the Economic Development and Commerce Department and members of the Private Sector Coalition. “They are not going to allow us to speak, and it is disgraceful that the Labor secretary, who is supposed to defend us, is sitting at the same table as the employer,” said labor leader Luis Pedraza Leduc at the hearings. “This is an anti-youth law,” said Iram Ramírez, president of the Office Professionals Union. “None of them dare say that this law will create jobs.” The bill would allow new employees to accumulate vacations at the rate of one and a quarter (1 1/4) days a month and sick leave at the rate of one day per month, for a worker of a minimum of 115 hours. With flextime, the worker could arrive an hour later and take lunch an hour later than scheduled, through an arrangement with the employer. It would also increase from 115 to 130 the number of hours part-time contract employees may work monthly, and would make severance pay tax exempt. For the first time, it would establish “employment contracts” to distinguish between contracted workers and employees. Part-time female employees would be covered under the Law to Regulate Breast Feeding or Extraction of Breast Milk, which allows women an hour a day to perform these tasks.

The San Juan Daily Star

Wednesday, January 18, 2017

Official: Puerto Rico Gov’t Could Collapse if No Steps Taken T

he administration of Gov. Ricardo Rosselló warned on Tuesday that the island government could shut down if dramatic measures to offset the economic crisis aren’t taken soon. The warning came as officials released new data provided by the previous governor during the transition process that it says shows the crisis is even worse than previously believed. “If we don’t make a dramatic adjustment, there could be a total collapse in upcoming months,” said Elias Sánchez, the governor’s representative to a federal control board created last year to oversee Puerto Rico’s finances. He told reporters that the extent of the fiscal crisis is still unknown, in part because of a lack of communication between public agencies. Overall, Puerto Rico is seeking to restructure its nearly $70 billion in public debt, and the island has defaulted on millions of dollars’ worth of bond payments since August,

angering creditors who have filed multiple lawsuits. The report released on Tuesday states that the island’s Department of Education has a $230 million deficit, the police department a $45 million deficit, and that the Highway Authority owes suppliers more than $500 million. The report also states that Puerto Rico’s largest public university has $91 million deposited in the Government Development Bank that it cannot access because of an ongoing debt moratorium. In addition, officials say the bank, which oversees the island’s debt transactions, turned over its routing number last April and has not issued a check since. All of the bank’s deposits have been moved to private banks. “The crisis is real and more severe than people think,” Sánchez said. Puerto Rico has a multimillion-dollar bond payment due in February, but Sánchez said it’s too early to say whether it

Elias Sánchez will be made. He said the government will talk with the federal control board in upcoming days about that payment. “We’re going to see what kind of agreement we can reach,” he said. A group representing interests who hold $17 billion in outstanding bonds issued by Puerto Rico’s Sales Tax Financing Corp. (COFINA) said that any potential relief needs to respect its seniority and property rights.

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“We continue to try to show constructive leadership through our willingness to provide relief to the government via liquidity or voluntary reductions,” the group said in a statement emailed to The Associated Press. Most of those represented by the COFINA Senior Bondholders Group are individuals and retirees. Rosselló’s administration already has requested an extension on a deadline to turn in a revised fiscal plan that the board is supposed to approve by Jan. 31. Officials also have asked for an extension on a moratorium that temporarily protects Puerto Rico from creditor lawsuits. The board has not responded publicly to those requests. Meanwhile, Rosselló’s administration has pledged to restructure the government to reduce costs as well as reform the island’s tax and retirement systems. Rosselló already signed several executive orders aimed at turning around the economic crisis, including ordering agencies to reduce their budgets and contracts for professional services by 10 percent. He also has submitted a labor reform bill that seeks to cut the size of a mandatory Christmas bonus and the required number of vacation and sick days granted to workers. Puerto Rico’s Senate is debating the bill amid a growing number of protests.

Domestic Violence Rising, New Solutions Sought By PEGGY ANN BLISS Special to The STAR [email protected]

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omestic violence is on the rise, and the island, and even the federal government, are unable to provide many solutions, said new Women’s Advocate Ileana Aymat. The 46 women and nine children killed in 2016 in domestic violence incidents represent only the tip of the iceberg. The new official said the entire year yielded 7,749 incidents of domestic violence, and in 6,309 of those incidents the victims were women. A total of 8,053 restraining orders were requested. One solution -- a place to go -- however, may provide a solution when a federal government program begins late in the year. Aymat said that when she took over, homicides against women had increased

43.7 percent in relation to 2015. This situation only dramatizes the need for a woman to have a safe roof over her head in order to break the cycle of violence, the U.S. government believes. That’s why Aymat is collaborating with the Housing Finance Authority (ADV by its Spanish acronym) on at least one new program, which unfortunately will not begin until November. The ADV will launch a program to cover rent and daily home expenses of abused women through a voucher program called New Beginnings (Nuevo Comienzo). The costs will be paid by the HOME Program of the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development, which must wait until the federal fiscal year begins in October to start the program. The vouchers can be used in the home women live in or they can move to another, explained ADV Executive Director Edwin Carreras Rivera.

He said that although the amount would vary depending on federal tables applying to each municipality, it would be about $400 to $500 per person per month. The program is designed for one year, but could be extended to two years at the discretion of the ATV executive director. Another program Mi Casa Propia (My Own House), directed at mothers or female heads of families, allows rent to be capitalized as down payments with a goal of assessing the value of the property. Carreras Rivera said many mothers or heads of family can pay, but cannot buy a house because they have bad credit. Under this program, the punctual payment of rent during the transition would be considered in assessing credit. Carreras Rivera said the government has some 400 repossessed housing units to restore immediately under Mi Casa Propia and other programs. They can also work with homes repossessed by private banks.

Ileana Aymat

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The San Juan Daily Star

Wednesday, January 18, 2017

González Files for Stop-Gap Law to Keep Obamacare Funds in PR By PEGGY ANN BLISS Special to The STAR [email protected]

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esident Commissioner Jenniffer González favors the repeal of Obamacare if she can have instead her bill granting the island

Jenniffer González

permanent health funding that doesn’t have to be renewed. The stop-gap measure would assure funding for Puerto Rico until a new health plan is put in place. At a press conference in Puerto Rico, González charged that Obamacare discriminated against the island by putting a cap on assigned funds, while the states have no limit. Obamacare has already paid $1.2 billion to the island health system, which is running out long before anticipated. “You have to lobby for more money as if it were a new bill, but for the rest of the states, the funding is renewable,” she said. “Thus, when House Chair Paul Ryan speaks of replacing Obamacare, that’s good for Puerto Rico because we can ask for assignment of funds to be made permanent and without a ceiling, which is what I have done in the bill I have filed.” After the Republican majority in the U.S. Senate approved a bill to pave the way for the elimination of Obamacare, as they have been threatening for years, the resident commissioner

presented Bill 259 to keep assigning to Puerto Rico all Medicaid funds, which finance government health insurance, for a year while the legislation to substitute Obamacare is discussed. The House approved the same budget resolution which would pave the way for eliminating Obamacare, which assigned $6.4 billion to the island for the public health program. Although these funds were expected to last until 2019, the government estimates they will be exhausted by the end of this year. As a territory, Puerto Rico receives some of the provisions of the Affordable Care Act (the aforementioned $1.2 billion annually). The Insurance Commissioner has provided a document that answers many questions about how Obamacare works in Puerto Rico. Here are some of the key points to questions. · Unlike statesiders, Puerto Ricans are not required to use Obamacare, or pay a fine if they don’t. · Unlike other jurisdictions, Puerto Rico has several agencies charged with administering and guaranteeing the use of Obamacare. Among them are the Health Department and the Insur-

Federal Reports Detail How Puerto Rico Getting Stiffed Under Health Programs By JOHN McPHAUL [email protected]

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esident Commissioner Jenniffer González and Health Secretary Rafael Rodríguez Mercado presented reports late last week prepared by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that detail the discriminatory treatment in federal programs due to Puerto Rico’s territorial situation and the loss of funds the island faces under the current health system. The reports portray Puerto Rico’s unequal treatment under the Affordable Care Act and point out the poor state of the health system in Puerto Rico in a crude and direct way, the officials said. “The three and a half million American citizens in Puerto Rico do not have access to a health system that is considered normal to the rest of the nation,” the officials said in a press

release, adding that the reports also detail how deficiencies under former Gov. Alejandro García Padilla’s administration compromised the local health system. “I am going to wage the battle and along with the Health will work to correct the deficiencies in federal health care management under the past administration,” González said. “Our administration will be different and will diligently and consistently seek to maximize access to and use of federal funds.” Rodríguez Mercado said he would “not stand idly by” as the the Republican-led U.S. Congress dismantles the Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare. “We will all be fighting together to achieve excellence in health services for the people of Puerto Rico,” said Health secretary said. The report concludes that the health system in Puerto Rico was in difficulty even before new

pressures such as the Zika outbreak arose. Other findings of the report include the recognition that there is a significant loss of professional talent and clear evidence of a lack of specialists; poor performance in preventive areas such as immunizations and cancer screening; the proportion of people reporting their health as “medium or poor” is twice that of the rest of the nation; the difficulty in obtaining updated data; and the need for more studies. The report stresses how the colonial system is an impediment to improving the health system, the officials said. “From a persistent economic crisis to underlying statutory disparities, Puerto Rico’s circumstances not only impede improvement but also create the risk of further deterioration,” the report said. The resident commissioner said the reports support and validate her efforts to fulfill

ance Commissioner’s Office. · Under Obamacare in Puerto Rico, the employer is not required to provide a medical plan. ACA regulations in this area only apply in the States. · No insurance plan, except certain protected plans, may discriminate by establishing eligibility standards, such as previous medical conditions, reclamation record, medicines required or medical history. · In family plans, medical insurance must accept dependents until age 26, regardless of civil status, economic dependency, university status, or whether they live under the same roof, unless the adult child has a plan at work. Dependents up to 26 may still remain on the parents’ employment plan, even if they have an offer from work. · Guaranteed subscription means that all insurers are required to sign up anyone who requests coverage, without submitting them to risk evaluation or waiting periods for pre-existing conditions. · As in all jurisdictions, the guaranteed subscription period is from Oct. to Dec. 1. a campaign commitment by introducing two bills, one to guarantee Medicaid funds for the nation’s territories and another to make them equal to the states under Medicare Part B. Those early actions, taken the day after she was sworn in, will highlight the discriminatory treatment and loss of funds faced by Puerto Rico’s health system, González said. Even before being sworn in, González spoke with the U.S. Health Secretary-designate Tom Price and Congressional leaders on the matter. Her House Bill 259 would give Puerto Rico the same amount of Medicaid money the states currently receive each year, about $1.68 billion, and would not end in 2019 as called for under Obamacare. House Bill 261, meanwhile, seeks equal treatment of U.S. citizens in Puerto Rico in Medicare Part B. Both measures were supported by the bipartisan Congressional Working Group on Puerto Rico. The resident commissioner announced that she would be filing other measures to end the unequal treatment of U.S. citizens residing in Puerto Rico in federal health programs. However, she added, the full equality that Puerto Rico needs and deserves in these programs can only be achieved with statehood.

The San Juan Daily Star

Wednesday, January 18, 2017

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Governor, First Lady Pay Historic Visit to Hospital del Niño Hospital in the more than 90 years since its founding in 1924. The visit confirms an alliance between the Rosselló administration and the hospital, which offers therapy and medical services to young patients, especially those from families with limited or no income. Board Chairman Ralphie Pagán said “what is most important is that the governor becomes acquainted with the hospital, since no other governor has ever been here.” “It’s a precedent that has been established by Governor Rosselló,” he said.

By IRIS EDÉN SANTIAGO Special to The STAR

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ov. Ricardo Rosselló Nevares and first lady Beatriz Rosselló payed a visit earlier this week to Hospital del Niño in Guaynabo. The couple, who have visited various children’s hospitals in the past six years, wanted to strengthen their ties to staff and administrators at the non-profit organization. Rosselló is the first governor to visit the Children’s

Health Official Warns Against Excessive Drinking at Street Festival By JOHN McPHAUL [email protected]

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ental Health and Anti-Addiction Services Administration (ASSMCA by its Spanish initials) Director Suzanne Roig Fuertes on Tuesday called on people who will attend the upcoming San Sebastián Street Festival to enjoy the cultural event “making moderate use of alcohol.” “We know that these festivities are often well attended; in fact, people from different corners of Puerto Rico and even other countries come to the venue to enjoy the various scheduled attractions, and most follow the established rules and maintain appropriate behavior,” she said. However, Roig Fuertes acknowledged that “unfortunately there are some people who come to these colorful parties to consume alcohol in an excessive way, thinking that is the only option for having fun.” “This situation not only poses a risk to the health

and safety of the person who makes excessive use of intoxicating drinks, but also of others participating in the event,” she said She also warned that some minors participate in the post-holiday festival in Old San Juan without the company of an adult and tend to consume alcohol and

Hospital del Niño Executive Director María López noted that Rosselló visited with the institution before his election as governor last year and now, as governor, he has returned to guarantee collaborative ties with the hospital. Hospital del Niño offers multidisciplinary services such as medical care, nursing, nutrition and social services, among others. Patients from all over the island can seek treatment there, López said. Hospital del Niño also provides services to minors with severe and life-threatening health conditions. “Our administration is committed to supporting the work of nonprofit organizations such as Hospital del Niño,” Rosselló said. “We acknowledge the quality work of the medical and administrative staff here, and we are grateful to them for their service.” The first lady, who has been visiting children’s hospitals since long before she was Rosselló’s wife, said the extraordinary work carried out by all the employees and many volunteers at Hospital del Niño is commendable. “Our visits are always heart-warming, and this time being able to bring them toys donated by other families feels even more special,” she said. “I urge everyone to get to know the hospital facilities and join them in this great endeavor.” engage in inappropriate behavior, often as a result of pressure exerted by their peers. “Faced with this reality, I call on parents to supervise their children at the San Sebastián Street Festival,” Roig Fuertes said. “I also invite merchants to exercise prudence and comply with current laws designed to prevent the sale of alcohol to minors. If you have doubts about the age of a young person, try to ask for his identification. Let us make this celebration a celebration, not a disgrace.” The official said some risky behaviors under the effects of alcohol could lead to tragedy at the annual festival, which starts Thursday. “There are people who mistakenly think that consuming alcohol in large proportions makes them seem more chill, funny and even interesting to the opposite sex. However, they lose perspective that in fact alcohol leads to loss of control in the individual, as well as to violence, intoxication, accidents and even death,” she said. “In fact, some of those who are under the influence of alcohol have unprotected sex, which could lead to unwanted pregnancies or sexually transmitted diseases, among other [consequences].” Roig Fuertes said “there is no need to consume alcohol in large proportions and expose ourselves to embarrassing and even dangerous situations.” “Moderation must be the norm that governs our behavior,” the official said. “We avoid being victims of violent events that could trigger a tragedy.”

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The San Juan Daily Star

Wednesday, January 18, 2017

House Speaker Promises Investigation into Transition Team’s Findings Carlos “Johnny” Méndez Núñez

By JOHN McPHAUL [email protected]

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ouse Speaker Carlos “Johnny” Méndez Núñez anticipated Tuesday that an investigative resolution on the findings in the final report of the government transition team will be passed. The findings of the transition committee were revealed to heads of agencies and legislators by the members of the team. “We are still deciding whether a special commission will be set up to deal with this issue and to expedite it or to attend to it through any of the standing committees,” Méndez told the local press on Tuesday. “There can be no impunity. Here were some government officials who

failed the people of Puerto Rico, who hid information, did not give all the information to the Legislative Assembly, when they gave the budget outlooks and we have to demand responsibility,” he added. Méndez said that as part of the investigation, former officials of the administration of Alejandro García Padilla will be summoned to swear under oath who instructed officials not to include the budget items in their agencies the payments of utilities and contributions to retirement systems. Ricardo Rosselló Nevares Transition Committee President Elías Sánchez told the agency heads in the room where the report was presented that they had to structure their budgets on a zero basis and take urgent

action in agencies. “This is serious, what we are going to see in the coming weeks,” Sánchez said. “I argue that if we do not make dramatic adjustments in the coming months we could have a total collapse, even closures.” Likewise, he described the reaction of former Gov. García Padilla to the disclosures in the report as cynical. Garcia Padilla responded by calling the findings of the incoming transition committee “demagogic and politicking,” because, he said, the Rosselló administration wants Puerto Rico to forget that it does not have a plan to meet the crisis. The former governor was emphatic that his administration was more transparent and published more reports and financial data than any other previous administration on the seriousness of the government’s fiscal crisis. “It seems insensitive and even demagogic that members of the new administration intend to hide their improvisation with half-truths and misrepresentations,” García Padilla said, using a term -- “improvisation” -- often employed over the past four years by the then-minority New Progressive Party to refer to the governing and legislative style of his administration. “If there is something that was faced squarely, under my leadership, it was the economic and fiscal situation of the country. For the past two years, my administration has sought to collect and make avai-

lable to the public the largest volume of financial information from the government and, using it as a starting point, we have laid out a plan for the recovery of Puerto Rico.” During the previous administration, reasonable and necessary measures were taken to ensure the provision of essential services to citizens, the former governor said in a written statement. García Padilla added that the safety, health and education of Puerto Ricans “was put above payment to creditors.” “The government deficit with suppliers was met according to these priorities and García Padilla’s government public policy,” he said. Also, the plan outlined by the tax team of the past administration “sought the economic and fiscal recovery of Puerto Rico without further austerity measures that would be counterproductive to the quality of life of citizens,” García Padilla said. “We also bet on the renegotiation of the debt under the federal PROMESA (Puerto Rico Oversight, Management and Economic Stability Act) law, thus putting Puerto Ricans above vulture funds. He said “the current administration seeks to justify the wrong steps it is taking, such as the intention to continue indebting the country or negotiating with the bondholders to the detriment of the best interests of the people, and not to assume the responsibility that was conferred on them by the people of Puerto Rico.” “Since Ricardo Rosselló was elected, I made myself available and urged that we work together to review the tax plan that had been submitted by my team to the fiscal supervisory board,” the ex-governor said. “He did not accept, because they had their own plan. Where is that plan now?”

Florida Surfer Drowns Off Rincón Amid Rough Seas A 39-year-old surfer from Florida has drowned off Puerto Rico’s west coast amid rough seas. Police say Michael Wallace Wright was sur-

fing in the western town of Rincón on Sunday when his leash broke and he was swept away by a current. Authorities say his brother, who is also a surfer, saw what happened and alerted

police. Officials say they did not know the hometown of the victim. Authorities had warned of high surf over the weekend.