SANTO DOMINGO.-Legislators from different parties, including the pro-government party, maintained their criticism of the Chamber of Accounts (CCRD) and what they consider new requirements for filing a sworn declaration of assets.
A commission was created in the Chamber of Deputies to support its members, who accuse the oversight body of overstepping its functions by requesting details that they consider intimate and, in some cases, even dangerous.
There will be no deadlines
The deadline for filing the declaration had expired last Monday and the Court of Auditors announced that it would not grant a new deadline, although it did report that it would continue to receive the documentation.
He reported that 120 deputies, of which 8 have ceased their functions, and 19 senators, of which 2 have also ceased, complied with the sworn declaration of assets.
Despite the noise caused by non-compliance with legal regulations and, in this case, the complexities that declarants say the process represents, the truth is that there is a legal vacuum regarding what to do with elected officials who do not declare their assets.
Likewise, many congressmen interpret the action of declaring a document certified by a bailiff in which their assets are recorded and that it is the Chamber of Accounts that is responsible for validating said information.
But neither the Chamber of Accounts has the staff to carry out such investigations, nor does the law cover all possible scenarios in the event of non-compliance, which turns the entire process into simple paperwork.
Law 311-14 on the Declaration of Assets classifies failure to submit documentation on time (30 working days following appointment) as a third-degree serious offence, as contemplated by another law, Law 41-08 on the Civil Service. In its article 81, paragraph three, it indicates that the commission of such an offence will lead to the dismissal of the official, applying this indication to those appointed by the Executive Branch.
It does penalize anyone who, by virtue of their position, is required by law to submit a sworn declaration of assets and falsifies the data in said declarations.
In this case, penalties of between one and two years in prison and fines of between twenty and forty times the central government’s minimum wage are contemplated.
Beyond this coverage, the law does not indicate, for example, what to do when it is the President of the Republic who does not testify or those who ceased their functions, who are also not censured in any way.
Defense of CCRD
—1— Obligation
In a statement, the Court of Auditors said that public officials have an obligation to disclose their assets.
—2— Protection
They claim to safeguard sensitive information.
—3— Did not complete
He reported that they will notify the Attorney General’s Office.
