Deputies accept controversial new member, despite boycott

Santo Domingo.- The Chamber of Deputies on Thursday elected the attorney Vinicio Castillo Seman, less than 24 hours after heated debate unleashed by lawmakers of the opposition PRD party who say his father, Marino (Vincho) “caused serious harm” to their late leader Jose Francisco Peña Gomez.

Castillo figured on the short list of three candidates proposed by the conservative pro-government party (FNP), and will occupy the seat left by his brother, the now Energy and Mines minister Pelegrin Castillo.

The lawmakers voted 93 to 7 to elect the prominent attorney and columnist, while the vast majority of the PRD deputies abstained, delivering on their threat of a boycott voiced Wednesday.