House majority faulted for blocking debate on governor election reform.

Varela noted declining voter support, with no governor surpassing 50% since 2000 and the last three under 40%.

By THE STAR STAFF

Representative José “Conny” Varela of Caguas denounced today the actions of the PNP majority in the House of Representatives for passing House Concurrent Resolution 36 without committee review and by voice vote. 

This measure sought to strengthen democratic legitimacy in the election of the Governor of Puerto Rico. 

Varela stated that this action is contrary to the best interests of the people and an affront to the deliberative process that should guide the Legislative Assembly.

House Concurrent Resolution 36 proposed consulting the people on a constitutional amendment so that, in each general election, only the candidate who obtained more than forty-five percent (45%) of the votes cast for that position could be declared Governor. 

In his measure, Varela warned of the sustained decline in voter turnout and the drop in support for elected candidates, noting that since 2000 only one person had been elected Governor with more than 50% of the vote, and in the last three elections, support for the governor had not exceeded 40%. 

The document emphasized that this trend had raised questions about the legitimacy and representativeness of those who hold the highest executive office in the country.

Varela lamented that a proposal of this magnitude was dismissed without the rigorous analysis required by legislative responsibility. He pointed out that the parliamentary majority prevented public hearings, technical evaluation, and expert participation—essential elements for any serious discussion on electoral system reforms. In his view, “the decision to defeat the measure without allowing any deliberation constitutes an arbitrary exercise of legislative power and a disregard for the institutional duty to seriously examine alternatives that seek to strengthen the country’s democratic governance.”

Finally, Varela assured that he will continue “promoting measures that foster greater representativeness, participation and stability in the country’s political system.”