Domenech to attend committee of the whole, governor says.

Gov. Jenniffer González Colón

By THE STAR STAFF

Gov. Jenniffer González Colón confirmed on Monday that La Fortaleza Chief of Staff Francisco Domenech Fernández will appear today before the Senate’s Committee of the Whole, a hearing convened by Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz. 

González Colón also suggested that Domenech’s summons may be tied to government contracts her administration recently canceled -- contracts she implied were linked to Rivera Schatz’s allies.

“Contrary to what he projects, there are actions that have been taken to reduce public spending, and tomorrow you will see how government contracting expenses in Puerto Rico have been directly reduced,” González Colón told reporters.

The governor went further, insinuating that political discomfort over the canceled agreements may have influenced Rivera Schatz’s decision to summon Domenech.

“And perhaps it bothers him that I canceled contracts belonging to his associates, and that, ultimately, is part of the reason for calling this hearing,” she added.

When reporters asked her to identify which associates she was referring to, González Colón declined to elaborate.

“You will see,” she said before walking away.

Domenech’s scheduled appearance before the committee is expected to draw significant attention amid ongoing tensions between the executive and legislative branches, as well as scrutiny over government contracting practices.