Lawmakers sound off over veto of bill to repeal police escorts law

Popular Democratic Party Senate Minority Leader Luis Javier Hernández Ortiz

By THE STAR STAFF

Sen. Juan Oscar Morales Rodríguez, who represents the San Juan District and authored Senate Bill 752 (SB 752), expressed disappointment on Sunday over Gov. Jenniffer González Colón’s decision to veto the measure aimed at eliminating police escorts for former government officials.

“The veto of Senate Bill 752 ignores the broad legislative consensus and the sentiment of a large majority of citizens who support optimizing public spending,” Morales said in a written statement. “It disregards the people’s demands and raises concerns by prioritizing the maintenance of an expensive privilege over sound fiscal management.”

The New Progressive Party senator added that the decision “sends a regrettable message about the Executive’s priorities, where preserving certain privileges takes precedence over efficiency in public spending and social justice.”

“It is disappointing that fiscal prudence, which this historic moment demands, was not honored,” he said. “We will await the new proposal announced by La Fortaleza to evaluate it responsibly.”

The bill, which passed both legislative chambers by consensus, sought to amend Puerto Rico’s Police Law to restrict the aforementioned benefit. Morales lamented that the veto represents a missed opportunity to reassign police resources and achieve an estimated annual savings of $1.2 to $1.5 million for priority public safety needs.

The deputy majority leader in the Senate emphasized that the measure was fiscally responsible and did not leave former officials unprotected. SB 752 included a mechanism allowing the police superintendent to grant temporary protection only in cases where a real and imminent threat to a former official’s life was demonstrated.

Meanwhile, Popular Democratic Party (PDP) minority leader in the island House of Representatives, Héctor Ferrer Santiago, called the governor’s veto “a betrayal of the country’s trust.”

“While thousands of families face real problems -- high living costs, lack of essential services, and security concerns -- the governor chose to defend benefits for Wanda Vázquez and herself,” Ferrer Santiago said, referring to the former NPP governor who last August pleaded guilty to a campaign finance violation. “Just one year into her administration, the people want nothing to do with her. Her tenure has been a disaster, and even within her own party, there is talk of finding another candidate for governor. Her government is marked by disconnection, improvisation, broken promises, and, worst of all, when forced to choose between the public interest and protecting her own, Jenniffer chooses to protect her own.”

PDP Senate minority leader Luis Javier Hernández Ortiz also criticized the decision, stating, “Once again, the governor shows her double standards.”

“She vetoed a bill that would have eliminated escort privileges for former governors, including those convicted of crimes,” he said. “With this decision, she protects a convicted former governor from her own party and ensures her own escorts after leaving office.”

Hernández Ortiz noted that González Colón now promises to send an administration-backed bill to address the issue.

“It would have been simpler to present it from the start when the matter was being debated in the Legislature,” he said. “This shows the governor’s duplicity in handling government affairs. We will continue to provide responsible oversight and propose solutions.”