PDP lawyers group urges governor to veto judicial reform bill
By THE STAR STAFF
The Popular Democratic Party Lawyers Organization (OAP) is urging Gov. Jenniffer González Colón to veto legislation that would overhaul Puerto Rico’s judicial system, arguing that the measure would undermine judicial independence and raise constitutional concerns.
OAP President Abner Otero Rosario said Senate Bill 1096, which would establish a new Judicial Branch Act, represents what he described as a deliberate effort to strip powers from the chief justice of the Puerto Rico Supreme Court and transfer them to the court’s full membership.
In a memorandum submitted during the legislative process, Otero and the organization expressed opposition to the bill and proposed a series of amendments, which they say were ultimately ignored by lawmakers.
“Turning Senate Bill 1096 into law would negatively impact judicial independence while raising constitutional objections,” Otero said. “Our organization submitted proposed amendments to address these concerns, but they were disregarded by the Legislative Assembly.”
As a result, Otero called on González Colón to reject the measure before it becomes law.
Among the amendments proposed by the organization were provisions to remove language that would reduce the authority of the chief justice, allow judges who are seeking reappointment to continue serving until the Senate acts on their nominations, preserve the role of municipal judges and maintain specialized courts for juvenile matters. The group also sought dedicated funding to cover new responsibilities that would be imposed under the legislation.
Otero argued that the restructuring of powers within the judicial branch cannot be accomplished through ordinary legislation.
“If the intention is to alter the constitutional framework established in 1952, the only legitimate path is a constitutional amendment ratified by the people,” he said.
Instead of pursuing sweeping statutory changes, the organization is proposing a comprehensive review process involving both the Legislative Assembly and the judicial branch through the Judicial Conference. Otero said that effort should include judges, court employees, law schools, legal services organizations and community leaders to ensure that any organizational or fiscal reforms are supported by data and broad stakeholder participation.
According to the legislation approved by the Legislative Assembly, the proposal would repeal Puerto Rico’s 2003 Judiciary Act and establish a judicial structure consisting of the 11-member Supreme Court, a Court of Appeals with 39 judges and a Court of First Instance with 338 superior court judges.
The measure has also drawn opposition from Puerto Rico Supreme Court Chief Justice Maite Oronoz Rodríguez, Administrative Director of the Courts Sigfrido Steidel Figueroa and other groups that have raised concerns about the scope and impact of the proposed restructuring of the island’s judicial system.
