Domenech defends González Colón administration’s first 100 days

La Fortaleza Chief of Staff Francisco Domenech, at right, defended the first 100 days of Gov. Jenniffer González Colón’s administration, noting a series of accomplishments.

By The Star Staff

La Fortaleza Chief of Staff Francisco Domenech on Sunday addressed statements made by Popular Democratic Party (PDP) Secretary General Manuel Calderón Cerame, along with the PDP minority leaders in the island House of Representatives and Senate, Héctor Ferrer Santiago and Luis Javier Hernández Ortiz, respectively, who characterized the first 100 days of Gov. Jenniffer González Colón’s administration as unsuccessful.

Domenech emphasized that some political entities are not recognizing the reality of the situation. He noted that the administration has issued a memo from La Fortaleza, which he signed at the request of the governor, outlining clear guidelines for lobbying practices and measures to avoid conflicts of interest for contractors. He pointed out that previous administrations under the PDP did not establish a lobbyist registry, which was created under past Gov. Ricardo Rosselló Nevares, nor did they implement regulations for lobbying or conflict of interest management within the executive branch.

Regarding concerns about conflicts of interest, Domenech said he is unclear about the specific issues being referenced by the PDP leaders. Since taking office, the González Colón administration has proposed 55 bills, with two already approved, he said. Most appointments have received confirmation, contrasting with the prior divided government, which struggled to confirm appointments and pass legislation, he noted.

Domenech expressed the belief that the PDP leaders are out of touch with the current realities in Puerto Rico. Under González Colón’s leadership, he said, there is a commitment to transparency and achieving measurable outcomes. He also noted ongoing collaboration with the Legislature and local mayors, and asked when the PDP legislators would begin working, filing legislation, and contributing constructive solutions instead of just criticizing.

The chief of staff highlighted the recent public release of a memorandum regarding the confirmation of more than 20 heads of agencies.

“For the first time, a women’s advocate was confirmed,” Domenech said. “Do you know who didn’t confirm a women’s advocate? The Popular Democratic Party and its previous Legislature.”

Domenech asked rhetorically who is genuinely acting transparently, effectively addressing the needs of Puerto Rico’s citizens, and who is falling short of their responsibilities.

“When are they going to start filing legislation?,” he said. “When are they going to do something other than merely criticize for the sake of criticizing with mendacity?”

Along with criticizing the first 100 days of the governing administration on Sunday, Calderón Cerame and the PDP legislative leaders also announced a campaign on social media, billboards, and a video available at www.100diasjgo.com.

“What we’ve experienced in these first 100 days is worrying. The lack of transparency and potential conflicts of interest prevail,” Calderón Cerame said in a written statement. “More than 90 days have passed, as required by the ethics law, and Francisco Domenech still hasn’t submitted his financial reports. Beyond the lack of solutions to the country’s problems, there is no clear public policy in Jenniffer González’s administration. No one can articulate what her main project is because it simply doesn’t exist.”

Ferrer Santiago asserted that controversies have marked the beginning of González Colón’s administration.

“Jenniffer González likes power, but not accountability,” said. “From here, we warn her that we will continue to monitor her, even if she doesn’t like it.”

Hernández Ortiz, meanwhile, insisted that “Jenniffer promised immediate action on energy, permits, taxes, and infrastructure.”

“However, in these first 100 days, she hasn’t signed a single measure to fulfill her commitments or benefit the people,” he said.