Ex-Dignity Project candidates sign on with the PDP

Ramón Román Márquez, in a political ad when he was the Dignity Project candidate for House District 17 representative (Facebook via Proyecto Dignidad)

By THE STAR STAFF

Popular Democratic Party (PDP) President Pablo José Hernández Rivera announced Sunday the affiliation of three former candidates and prominent figures from the  Dignity Project (DP): Sheila Dávila Rodríguez, former candidate for mayor of Cidra; César “Monchito” Corales Cotty, former candidate for mayor of Lajas; and Ramón Román Márquez, former candidate for representative of District 17, covering Aguadilla and Moca.

The arrival of the three former candidates adds to a series of recent high‑profile PDP recruits. On Jan. 19, the party welcomed former Citizen Victory Movement (MVC by its initials in Spanish) electoral commissioner Olvin Valentín. In 2025, the party had already announced the inclusion of two former MVC candidates: Eric Rossner, who ran for representative of District 11, and Yamira Colón Rosa, who sought the mayorship of Dorado.

Dávila said her decision to return to the PDP reflects what she views as a needed evolution in Puerto Rican politics under Hernández Rivera’s leadership.

“My decision to return to the PDP under Pablo José Hernández Rivera, who is also Puerto Rico’s resident commissioner in the U.S. Congress, comes from the conviction that Puerto Rico needs change and hope. Puerto Rico cannot afford four more years under the NPP [New Progressive Party],” she said. “We recognize in Pablo José a man who represents the Christian values of honor and gratitude. He comes from a family deeply committed to public service… His personal example gives us confidence that his priorities are where they should be: helping Puerto Rican families.”

Corales emphasized what he described as Hernández Rivera’s focus on substantive issues rather than political polarization.

“I have seen in Pablo José a leader who does not waste time on polarizing controversies,” Corales said. “His focus on social justice -- pursuing parity in Medicaid, SNAP, and SSI -- is essentially a pro‑family policy that seeks to ensure every household on the island has the tools it needs to move forward with dignity.”

Román stressed his desire to serve communities through a party rooted in Puerto Rico’s political tradition.

“I affiliated with the PDP because I want to work with my people from the roots of our history and build a future of progress together,” he said. “My experience as a candidate in District 17 reminded me that serving with honesty, transparency, and responsibility is what truly matters.”