PUERTO RICO HERALD: Pesquera Accuses Calderon Of 'Dismantling Health Reform'

Pesquera Accuses Calderon Of 'Dismantling Health Reform'

SAN JUAN (AP) - New Progressive Party (NPP) Carlos Pesquera said Wednesday that the current government is dismantling the health reform of the east that was started by the past administration.

Pesquera said in published reports that there are 189,000 indigent patients on the eastern side of the island who are vulnerable to any crisis in healthcare services.

"The sole responsible for the crisis suffered by the indigent patients in the east is Gov. Sila Calderon, who irresponsibly took away $300 million from the health reform's budget," Pesquera said.

The former gubernatorial candidate noted that no government agency can function with a 33% budget cut.

"Calderon clearly wants to destroy the reform because it represents an achievement of the past administration," he added.

The House Ethics Committee will hold public hearings against former House Speaker Edison Misla Aldarondo, as it was decided, following a day-long executive meeting, that there was enough evidence to proceed with a complaint filed by current House Speaker Carlos Vizcarrondo against the veteran New Progressive Party (NPP) legislator.

Vizcarrondo's complaint is based solely on the indictment filed by Acting U.S. District Attorney Guillermo Gil against Misla Aldarondo on charges of extortion, money laundering, and obstruction of justice.

Misla Aldarondo might oppose the public hearing process, but if he fails to do so, public hearings are scheduled to take place Jan. 3, 4, and 5.

Although the committee has 45 days beginning Thursday to make a ruling, Ferrer believes that the committee will be ready to make a recommendation following those three days.

House Speaker Carlos Vizcarrondo encouraged former speaker Edison Misla Aldarondo to resign from his post and save the Legislature the trouble of having to fire him once the House Ethics Committee investigation is completed.

"I feel I'm carrying out my responsibility, it bothers me to reach this point. I would have preferred for Edison Misla to have presented his resignation, and not force me to go through this process," Vizcarrondo said.

Although he has been repeatedly asked to quit is post, Misla Aldarondo has reiterated he will continue to hold his chair as elected legislator until the due process of law is completed.

SAN JUAN (AP) - Puerto Rican Independence Party (PIP) Sen. Fernando Martin said the abandonment of the Vieques cause by Gov. Sila Calderon's administration has turned the local government into "an ally of the Navy."

Martin added that the new government's incapacity to implement an effective public policy gives the impression of being submerged in a permanent crisis.

"As far I can remember, this is the first time a new government hasn't had the favor of the people due to an inability to implement its government program, generating the impression of a government [submerged] in a permanent crisis," Martin said.

Regarding the Vieques situation, Martin said "the problem with the relationship between Puerto Rico and the United States has been made more evident due to the humiliation [the U.S.] has subjected Puerto Rico."

Martin said he also believes Calderon is running the same luck that former Gov. Pedro Rossello had in dealing with the Vieques issue. He accused Calderon of this time using the Sept. 11 attacks as an excuse after finding out that the United States wasn't going to give up its colonial prerogative so easily.

SAN JUAN (AP) - The First Circuit Court of Appeals of Boston ruled that New Progressive Party (NPP) Sen. Norma Burgos should return to federal prison for three more weeks to finish serving her sentence for trespassing on U.S. Navy land in Vieques.

By this ruling, the appellate court ratifies the decision of U.S. District Court Chief Judge Hector Laffitte, who increased Burgos' sentence from 40 to 60 days for contempt of court following her pointed marks at Laffitte.

Justice Secretary Anabelle Rodriguez recommended the designation of a Special Independent Prosecutor (SIP) to investigate Popular Democratic Party (PDP) Arecibo District Sen. Maribel Rodriguez Hernandez, as there is evidence to suspect wrongful handling of public funds granted by the Senate for her participation in the June 2001 Puerto Rican Day Parade of New York.

Following an "extensive investigation," Justice Department personnel recommended the SIP to look into the possible penal code violation for theft of public funds, which carries a fixed 10-year penalty, and for violations to the Government Ethics Code by using her post for personal benefit, which carries a one-year sentence if convicted.

Less than two hours after the case had been referred to the SIP, Gov. Sila Calderon lamented the situation and ordered the immediate relief of Rodriguez Hernandez from her positions within the PDP.

Thus Rodriguez Hernandez was suspended from her post within the Legislative Assembly, general assembly, program and calendar assembly, general council, and the Vega Alta municipal PDP committee.

The governor declined to comment on whether Rodriguez Hernandez should resign her post within the Legislature, as the senator was an elected officer, and it is the duty of the Senate to deal with issue.

Senate President Antonio Fas Alzamora relieved Rodriguez Hernandez from her post as chairwoman of the Health and Environmental Affairs Committee and from the vice-president post at the Women Affairs Committee, while the Ethics Committee finishes three investigations against her.

Pesquera Accuses Calderon Of 'Dismantling Health Reform'

House To Hold Hearings Against Misla Aldarondo

Vizcarrando Insists He Resign

PIP: Calderon Gov’t Is Navy Ally

Court Orders Burgos Back To Prison

Justice Recommends SIP To Investigate PDP Senator