Governor submits 5 new appointments for consideration by Senate

By THE STAR STAFF

Gov. Jenniffer González Colón on Thursday sent a new round of appointments to the Senate, as part of her administration’s efforts to strengthen several government entities across areas such as economic development, health and public safety.

The governor submitted five recess appointments, including the designation of attorney Julie O. Gómez Gómez as secretary of the Department of Correction and Rehabilitation. Gómez, whose appointment is now before the Senate, began leading the agency effective Thursday.

The remaining appointments include:

* Dr. William Méndez Latalladi, nominated for a new term on the board of directors of the University of Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center.

* CPA Jeanelle Alemar Escabí, nominated for a new term on the board of directors of the Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company.

* Attorney Francisco Gierbol, appointed as a member of the board of directors of the Puerto Rico Public Broadcasting Corporation.

* Judge Olga Birriel Cardona, as a full member of the Independent Special Prosecutor Panel, a position that became vacant following the resignation of attorney Rubén Vélez Torres. The appointment of Birriel Cardona, who had served as an alternate member of the panel since July 2025, must be evaluated by both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

All five legislative recess appointees were to assume their respective positions immediately.