Jose Luis Dalmau to Pedro Pierluisi: “The Senate is not his subordinate nor a rubber stamp that he manages as he pleases”

The president of Senate, Jose Luis Dalmausaid this Thursday that this legislative body will not tolerate “pressure or ultimatums” from the governor Pedro Pierluisiwho earlier this week asked him to put the appointments of Yanira Raices and Cieni Rodriguez as secretaries of the Education and Family departments, respectively.

“Our constitutional system is a democratic one, of separation of powers and not a monarchy. Therefore, the governor must know that the Senate of the Commonwealth is not his subordinate nor a rubber stamp that he manages at his whim. The Senate is part of another constitutional branch – the most representative of the people – which discharges its responsibilities in accordance with its rules and regulations,” Dalmau indicated in written statements.

The senatorial leader also questioned the governor’s “hurry and anxiety” regarding the consideration of these two appointments in particular, but, in his opinion, he does not present the same urgency in other positions. whose terms have expired and the people remain in their positions, such as the presidency of the State Election Commission (CEE), which is occupied temporarily by Jessika Padila Rivera.

In relation to the nominees for Education and Family, Dalmau pointed out that the evaluation has not been completed and that They study complaints that point to the possible loss of federal funds, information that, he added, was not communicated to the Senate during the public hearings held to evaluate both designations. “That is unacceptable and we will require answers whether the governor likes it or not,” he declared.

He also alleged that the new protocol announced by the governor to develop orientation and evaluation strategies to reduce possible cases of abuse and neglect in the school environment arose in response “to the delay that was reported in the Senate hearings” in the attention of this type of cases.

“I reaffirm that this Senate will act with the prudence and seriousness that these appointments demand. If this determination causes anxiety to the governor and his work team, then they should know that the people of Puerto Rico feel more anxiety, frustration and disappointment due to the deficient way in which this government acts.he claimed.