PDP files measure to cite health secretary to a committee of the whole over Politank controversy.

The majority New Progressive Party delegation in the island Senate blocked a motion to discharge a resolution filed by the Popular Democratic Party minority, seen above, seeking to interpellate Health Secretary Dr. Víctor Ramos Otero before a committee of the whole over alleged irregularities within the agency he heads.

By THE STAR STAFF

The Popular Democratic Party (PDP) delegation in the island Senate announced on Monday the filing of a legislative measure seeking to summon a full Senate hearing to question Puerto Rico Secretary of Health Dr. Víctor Ramos Otero over alleged irregularities within the agency he heads.

During a press conference, PDP Senate Minority Leader Luis Javier Hernández Ortiz said the delegation introduced Senate Resolution 473, which calls on the upper chamber to convene a committee of the whole -- a session of the full Senate -- to conduct an interpellation of the health secretary.

Hernández Ortiz said the measure follows concerns first raised by the minority caucus last summer regarding “a series of irregularities” at the Health Department, one of the island’s largest agencies by budget.

Hernández Ortiz pointed specifically to the appointment in May 2025 of Elisa Muñoz López to two positions within the agency: adviser on legislative affairs and public policy, and chair of the committee overseeing Medicaid-related professional services contracts and requests for proposals.

The minority leader said Muñoz López had previously worked for Politank, a private firm, until the time when Ramos Otero assumed leadership of the Health Department.

The PDP senator further alleged that around the same time as those appointments, a company identified as Intervoice Communication, which he said had been a Politank client, was awarded a Department of Health contract valued at some $14.1 million.

Hernández Ortiz also referenced recent Senate proceedings in which concerns were raised about a lack of communication between the health secretary and lawmakers regarding the Vieques hospital, calling the proposed hearing an appropriate opportunity for Ramos Otero to appear before the Senate and respond to questions.

PDP Alternate Minority Leader Marially González Huertas said the delegation is confident that the full Senate hearing can be convened and emphasized the importance of transparency.

“The entire country watched the appearance of attorney Francisco Domenech,” González Huertas said, referring to a recent committee of the whole hearing in the upper chamber in which the La Fortaleza chief of staff -- and former owner of Politank -- underwent a grilling. She said that testimony raised doubts about the functioning of the administration of Gov. Jenniffer González Colón, including questions related to the Health Department and the access former Politank employees may have within the agency.

González Huertas said lawmakers are seeking information not only about contracts allegedly linked to Politank, but also regarding matters involving the Vieques hospital.

Sen. Josian Santiago Rivera stressed the importance of the committee of the whole as an oversight tool, drawing comparisons to the earlier Senate hearing involving Domenech.

“That hearing exposed a government paralyzed by improper pressure from La Fortaleza to intervene in the approval or denial of contracts,” Santiago said.

He added that a similar hearing involving the health secretary could provide lawmakers and the public with insight into how one of Puerto Rico’s most heavily funded agencies is being administered.

Sen. Ada Álvarez Conde highlighted Muñoz López’s prior employment history at Politank, noting that she had been supervised there by Domenech. She said Domenech confirmed under oath that Muñoz López worked at Politank until 2023, shortly before joining the Department of Health.

Álvarez Conde also cited public information regarding contract awards at the Department of Health since Ramos Otero took office, arguing those matters warrant Senate scrutiny. She referenced a sworn statement by former Health Secretary Dr. Carlos Mellado López, which she said includes allegations of inappropriate conduct by Domenech during his time as a lobbyist at Politank.

“Did Víctor Ramos participate in those interventions?” Álvarez Conde asked. “Was he the one who promoted those efforts?” She also pointed to public statements by Ramos Otero referring to Domenech as “his brother,” which she said illustrates the closeness between the two men.

Ramos Otero responded later on Monday after the majority New Progressive Party delegation blocked a motion to discharge the PDP minority resolution seeking to interpellate him before the committee of the whole.

“In light of the request for interpellation, I reiterate this administration’s commitment to transparency and collaboration with the Legislature -- always with institutional respect,” Ramos Otero said in a written statement.

“At the Department of Health, we act in accordance with the law and the highest ethical standards,” the official added. “I categorically reject baseless insinuations of irregularity, which serve no purpose other than the partisan political objective of spreading disinformation, sowing confusion, and fabricating false perceptions.”