PDP calls for investigation into revolving door at PRITS

The Popular Democratic Party minority delegation in the Senate is calling for an investigation into “a matter that deserves follow-up by us, the press, and the country,” namely the turmoil at the Puerto Rico Innovation and Technology Service.

By THE STAR STAFF

The Popular Democratic Party (PDP) minority delegation in the Senate held a press conference Monday “on a matter that deserves follow-up by us, the press, and the country,” namely the turmoil at the Puerto Rico Innovation and Technology Service (PRITS).

“As you know, during the past few days a series of controversies have been publicly aired surrounding PRITS, which is the agency in charge of preparing, managing, developing, and coordinating all matters related to the technological infrastructure of the government of Puerto Rico,” PDP Senate minority leader Luis Javier Hernández Ortiz said.

Last Friday, Hernández Ortiz introduced Senate Resolution 306, requesting that the upper chamber initiate an investigative process into the controversies, particularly the allegations surrounding the removal of several directors appointed to PRITS, as well as contracts within the government, particularly those related to technology and technological infrastructure.

La Fortaleza had no immediate comment.

“... [W]e want to provide you with more information regarding the measure and publicly discuss how the Puerto Rico Senate should proceed regarding this matter,” Hernández Ortiz added. “With this legislative bill, we hope that the Committee on Innovation, Reform, and Appointments will conduct an investigation into the functions, powers, and duties of PRITS and the chief innovation and information officers of the government of Puerto Rico.”

Sen. Marially González Huertas, the PDP alternate minority leader, noted that “similarly, PRITS’ evaluation of all contracts for professional and advisory services and/or those related to the government’s innovation, computing, and technology agenda from January 2025 to the present [must be reviewed].”

“And why does this need to be investigated in depth?,” she said. “In recent months, PRITS has been the subject of public controversy, and the agency currently does not have a permanent chief innovation and information officer.”

Sen. Josian Santiago Rivera reminded those present that on Jan. 12 of this year, Gov. Jenniffer González Colón appointed Antonio Ramos Guardiola to fill the position; however, the appointment was withdrawn on April 28.

“The following day, April 29, 2025, Mr. Luis Javier Rodríguez Vega was appointed. This appointment was also withdrawn on June 20, 2025, just days before the end of the first regular session, stripping the Senate of its power to grant advice and consent or reject the appointment,” Santiago Rivera said. “More recently, Mr. Martín Jiménez Morales was appointed to the position. This appointment was made during recess, specifically on July 1, 2025. On September 9, the Senate of Puerto Rico received a letter dated September 2, in which the [latest] chief executive also withdrew the appointment. Since then, the governor has publicly stated that her administration is considering integrating PRITS under the Office of Management and Budget.”

Santiago Rivera added that the González Colon government “is at its worst.”

“Barely nine months into her administration, there are serious questions about possible acts of corruption, and the serious thing about the matter is that the allegations are openly pointed out by leaders of her own party, implying the intervention of officials she trusted in La Fortaleza,” he said. “Particularly for me, who was mayor [of Comerío], eight years after [Hurricane] Maria, the reconstruction reflects an unacceptable and unjustifiable delay, the electricity bill continues to rise and now they surprise us by taking us until 2050 to have a properly restored system.”

Former Senate President José Luis Dalmau Santiago noted that recent public reports have revealed administrative misconduct that should influence the Senate’s investigative powers. A recent report by the Center for Investigative Journalism alleged that on April 25, 2025, days before Ramos Guardiola’s appointment was withdrawn, he had denied -- within the broad powers he held as chief information officer -- the contracting of a technology company.

While the appointment of an official is the prerogative of the executive branch, the public accusations that have emerged raise concerns that cannot go unnoticed, Dalmau Santiago said.

“This is a shuffling of chairs in an agency -- in this case, PRITS -- to somehow seek to ensure that the person who occupies the position responds to private interests,” he said. “Since the withdrawal of Ramos Guardiola’s appointment and up to the present, the agency has not had a permanent person occupying the position. Furthermore, the Governor recently imputed to the Senate the reasons behind the withdrawal of the last nominee, Mr. Martín Jiménez Morales. She alleges that he did not have the endorsement of the legislative body, when the appointee had not even been evaluated in public hearings and no member of the body had publicly commented on the appointment.”