Island Senate weighs summoning governor as part of multiparty probe

Puerto Rican Independence Party Sen. Adrián González Costa

By THE STAR STAFF

Members of the island Legislature signaled Tuesday that Gov. Jenniffer González Colón could be summoned before the Senate if a minority‑requested investigation into alleged corruption at La Fortaleza is formally activated.

The discussion follows sworn statements from three public officials that lawmakers say merit immediate scrutiny related to contract interference at the Economic Development and Commerce Department (DDEC by its acronym in Spanish). One of the public officials is La Fortaleza Chief of Staff Francisco Domenech Fernández, the governor’s virtual right hand.

Puerto Rican Independence Party (PIP) Sen. Adrián González Costa said the Legislature has full constitutional authority to call a sitting governor to testify as part of its investigative powers. He emphasized that while executive privilege exists, it protects information -- not individuals -- and cannot be used to block a legislative summons.

“The Legislature has broad powers to summon whomever it understands [it needs to summon], and that includes a ruler,” González Costa said, noting that the governor could invoke certain privileges regarding specific matters but not to avoid appearing altogether. He added that the intention behind any potential summons would not be political retaliation. 

“We take these processes very seriously,” he said, stressing that the allegations -- though still under evaluation -- were made under oath and therefore carry significant weight.

González Costa also questioned the governor’s continued support for Domenech, who has been at the center of recent controversies. He suggested that if González Colón maintains confidence in Domenech, she may be able to clarify to lawmakers what information justifies his role.

“What does she know that we don’t know that makes it worthwhile for him to stay there?” he asked.

Meanwhile, Popular Democratic Party (PDP) Sen. Luis Javier Hernández Ortiz argued that Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz is running out of options and may soon have to activate Rule 14, which would trigger a formal, multiparty investigation into alleged misconduct involving Domenech, former Justice Secretary Domingo Emanuelli Hernández, and the governor herself. Hernández Ortiz noted that although Rivera Schatz previously voted down a request to invoke Rule 14, he left open the possibility of doing so later.

The PIP and PDP jointly submitted a letter on June 29 urging Rivera Schatz to activate the rule, citing revelations made by former DDEC Secretary Sebastián Negrón Reichard. Hernández Ortiz said the sworn allegations should be more than sufficient to initiate a bipartisan probe.

“This is a very serious investigation,” the PDP Senate minority leader said. “They can somehow touch the governor.”

Hernández Ortiz added that Rule 14 would ensure investigative officers from all parties participate, preventing perceptions that the process is controlled solely by the majority New Progressive Party (NPP). He warned that any inquiry into an institutional corruption scheme should not be influenced by internal NPP primary dynamics or potential political tensions between González Colón and Rivera Schatz.

Rivera Schatz is believed to be testing the waters for a challenge of González Colón in an NPP gubernatorial primary in 2028.

With lawmakers publicly debating the scope of their investigative powers -- and whether the governor herself should be questioned -- the controversy continues to widen, placing new pressure on La Fortaleza as the Legislature weighs its next steps.