PDP continues efforts in Washington against status referendum
SAN JUAN – The Popular Democratic Party (PDP) is still conducting its efforts in Washington, D.C. to deter the June 11 Puerto Rico political-status plebiscite proposed by Gov. Ricardo Rosselló‘s administration.
PDP President Héctor Ferrer seeks to hold a meeting with U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions or his representatives to present a letter that outlines his party’s opposition to the plebiscite, arguing the referendum is rigged to result in an “artificial” majority for statehood.
“This week Héctor [Ferrer] intends to present a letter to the attorney general and one of his staffers, expressing our concern over this referendum,” stated Isabela Mayor and PDP Secretary-General Charlie Delgado Altieri.
The PDP aims to question the plebiscite’s legality because it doesn’t include the “Free Associated State,” or Commonwealth, as one of the eligible status options.
Advocates of the status referendum, led by the governor and Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz -who authored the bill that established the plebiscite-excluded the commonwealth option after Congress left no doubt about the territorial nature of that political status.
Last weekend, the PDP president said he will convene a general assembly on April 23 to decide the party’s next move on the proposed plebiscite.
Ferrer argued that the PDP is the “largest political alliance” in Puerto Rico, comprising voters who are neither pro-independence nor pro-statehood, and it is therefore unnecessary to define its ideological position ahead of the status referendum. Ferrer isn’t auhtorizing any party, organization or individual to represent the PDP’s position in the plebiscite, including party leaders such as Rep. Manuel Natal and San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz Soto.
The status referendum could potentially divide the PDP as things are.
The Immediate Decolonization Act states that the U.S. attorney general has until April 16 to report whether he approves of the plan proposed by Rosselló to hold the referendum; failure to do so will be seen as acceptance.
Related Posts
Latest News
-
Puerto Rico fiscal board member: Too much pain with too little promise
Panel certifies commonwealth's fiscal plan with Ana Matosantos voting against...
- Posted April 19, 2018
-
Puerto Rico governor reiterates his refusal to comply with fiscal board impositions
Rosselló reacts to panel's fiscal plans as it held public...
- Posted April 19, 2018
-
Puerto Rico gov’t presents 2nd phase of worker transition program
Deadline to submit 'voluntary resignation' application is June 30
- Posted April 19, 2018
-
Fiscal board oversees Puerto Rico power company under its fiscal plan
It approves a capital plan, budget, revenue requirements, issuance and...
- Posted April 19, 2018
-
House committee aide presses FOMB to push Promesa limits
Forecast of legal tests coming down the pike
- Posted April 19, 2018
-
Puerto Rico oversight board publishes fiscal plan it would certify
Watch the board's meeting here
- Posted April 18, 2018
-
Island-wide power blackout hits Puerto Rico
Second mayor power outage this week
- Posted April 18, 2018
-
Puerto Rico governor reiterates his refusal to comply with fiscal board impositions
Rosselló reacts to panel's fiscal plans as it held...
- April 19, 2018
-
Puerto Rico gov’t presents 2nd phase of worker transition program
Deadline to submit 'voluntary resignation' application is June 30
- April 19, 2018
-
Fiscal board oversees Puerto Rico power company under its fiscal plan
It approves a capital plan, budget, revenue requirements, issuance...
- April 19, 2018
-
García Padilla: Rubio Is No Friend of Puerto Rico
Governor Says Rubio's Remarks Confirm he Works for 'Vultures'
- February 26, 2016
- 15
You must be logged in to post a comment Login