RD$176.1M Mother’s Day scandal, ‘business sector smear campaign’

Santo Domingo.- Ruling party (PLD) deputy Hugo Fortuna on Friday accused business sectors of mounting a smear campaign against the lower Chamber, with the brewing scandal of the RD$176.1 million the lawmakers received to buy gifts for Mother’s Day .

The lawmaker from Santo Domingo East said the business leaders –which he didn’t identify- seek to oust the legislators opposed to their interests.

He said the RD$176.1 million are consigned in the legislative budget for social projects which he affirms benefit impoverished people. "As a result of the 176.1 million pesos disbursed to buy gifts for mothers, powerful and malicious instances started negative campaigning against deputies."

"Why don’t those entrepreneurs mount that same smear campaign when the Government gives them tax breaks in the millions?"

"The government constantly gives the business leaders millions in tax exemptions, funds whose use isn’t known," said Fortuna, who handed out hundreds of gifts to women of low income in various sectors of Santo Domingo on Mother’s Day.