PDP lawmaker conditions elimination of mandatory payment on Clemente ‘marbete’
By The Star Staff
Rep. Ángel Matos García, the majority leader in the island House of Representatives, on Wednesday conditioned the elimination of the mandatory payment of $5 for the Roberto Clemente commemorative inspection sticker, or “marbete,” as requested by New Progressive Party (NPP) leaders.
“If the NPP seriously and responsibly wants to address the increases in the [costs of] different services that Puerto Ricans receive, they must include in their bill the elimination of the three hikes, electricity, water and all tolls,” Matos García said in a written statement. “If so, I agree with eliminating the contribution that the marbete commemorating the ‘Hit 3,000’ of the Puerto Rican star Roberto Clemente entails.
“If legislators are really so concerned about the increase in the cost of living, I invite them to vote in favor of the measure introduced by Rep. Jessie Cortés to declare a moratorium on increases in services as essential as electricity, water and tolls,” the legislator reiterated. “Since the NPP does not have the character to do the right thing, they simply dither and politick on these issues.”
NPP Reps. Gabriel Rodríguez Aguiló, José “Che” Pérez Cordero and José “Memo” González Mercado filed a joint resolution earlier this week so that the acquisition of the marbete in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Roberto Clemente’s 3,000th hit in the Major Leagues would be voluntary.
The measure, which requires the payment of $5 for the commemorative inspection sticker, was approved by the Legislative Assembly and signed into law by Gov. Pedro Pierluisi Urrutia.