DNER official is no-show at Senate hearing on Carolina landfill.

A Department of Natural and Environmental Resources official who had been summoned as the sole witness for a hearing before the Senate Tourism, Natural Resources and Environmental Committee failed to appear on Wednesday morning. The hearing was to be part of the panel’s investigation into the permitting process and the potential environmental and public health impacts associated with the expansion of the landfill operated by the Municipality of Carolina. 

By THE STAR STAFF

The Senate Tourism, Natural Resources and Environmental Committee continued its investigation on Wednesday under Senate Resolution 2 regarding the expansion and operation of the Carolina Autonomous Municipality landfill, marked by the non-appearance of attorney Luis González Ortiz, examining officer of the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER), who had been summoned as the sole witness for the hearing.

Sen. Marissa “Marissita” Jiménez Santoni, the committee chairwoman, noted that González Ortiz was initially summoned on March 20 through the sergeant-at-arms and, after what she described as a hostile attitude and refusal to answer questions, a personal summons was issued for him to appear Wednesday morning. However, the witness, who had previously been identified as a relative of Gov. Jenniffer González Colón, did not attend the hearing.

“This morning we are addressing Senate Resolution number 2 […] and Mr. Luis González Ortiz was summoned for this hearing. […] He has not appeared,” Jiménez said. “Given his hostile attitude and refusal to answer the committee’s questions, he was personally summoned […] and he did not appear. In accordance with the provisions of the Political Code, it is ordered that the matter be referred to the court […] and that the corresponding contempt of court be requested.”

Sen. Ángel Toledo López said the committee had to resort to the court to ensure the appearance of the witness, obtaining a court order that was later confirmed by the Court of Appeals.

“The court issued an order [and] the Court of Appeals upheld the ruling […] leaving in effect the hearing we are holding today,” Toledo stated. “Despite that, the attorney decided not to appear.”

Toledo requested that the case be brought before the court again so that the witness is held in contempt, the corresponding sanctions are imposed, and he is ordered to appear and answer the committee’s questions.

Since the beginning of the investigation, the committee has focused its efforts on evaluating the permitting process and the potential environmental and public health impacts associated with the expansion of the landfill operated by the Autonomous Municipality of Carolina. The inquiry stems from concerns regarding the use of ecologically sensitive lands, including protected areas, archaeological zones and sites situated atop aquifers.

Sen. Eliezer Molina Pérez similarly expressed concern about the decisions made in the case and urged the agencies to be held accountable.

“The decisions he [González Ortiz] has made regarding this particular case are extremely worrying,” he said. “[…] The time has come for the agencies here to answer for the decisions they make.”