PDP keeps pressure on Domenech to release his financial report, Politank sales contract

Popular Democratic Party Secretary General Manuel Calderón Cerame

By The Star Staff

Popular Democratic Party (PDP) Secretary General Manuel Calderón Cerame demanded on Sunday that Francisco Domenech, the La Fortaleza chief of staff who also heads the Fiscal Agency and Financial Advisory Authority (AAFAF by initials in Spanish), publicly release his financial report as well as the sale contract of his former lobbying firm, Politank.

In a press conference held by the PDP, Calderón Cerame emphasized the importance of transparency and urged Domenech to make his financial report public. He stated that such transparency is essential to ensure there are no conflicts of interest related to how Domenech acquired his assets and the clients he represented in the past.

Politank in the past represented creditors in the island’s bankruptcy. The PDP previously asked local and federal authorities to investigate Domenech for hiring the firm Houlihan Lokey to work for AAFAF even though it previously represented Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority creditors.

“This is a government rife with conflicts of interest and inaction,” Calderón Cerame said. “We have not only denounced the clear conflicts of interest associated with Francisco Domenech’s initial contracts at AAFAF, but we also find it unacceptable that his financial report has not yet been published on the Government Ethics Office portal. The chief of staff must disclose it to guarantee transparency and good governance.”

Calderón Cerame stressed that it is unacceptable for the Government Ethics Office to have removed the requirement for public officials to disclose the amount generated by or cost of each transaction, merely stating totals of liabilities and assets. “The elimination of this disclosure requirement, which was enacted last November, raises suspicions and does not contribute to the transparency of the process,” he said.

During the press conference, the PDP official pointed out that given that elimination, Domenech should publish the purchase and sale contract for the firm Politank to Manuel Torres, who served as secretary of the upper chamber under former Senate President Kenneth McClintock, while Domenech was the director of the Office of Legislative Services.

Calderón Cerame reiterated the importance of clarity and transparency regarding the finances of public officials to prevent conflicts that could ultimately harm the people of Puerto Rico. “With each passing day, Francisco Domenech has more questions to answer for the country; therefore, it is essential to understand his financial dealings, particularly regarding the buying and selling of Politank.”