Pierluisi justifies holding an inauguration amid the pandemic: “There will always be someone to criticize”

The governor-elect Pedro Pierluisi Today, Tuesday, he defended the turnout of 400 people at his January 2 swearing-in ceremony, despite the fact that it takes place weeks after the worst moment of the COVID-19 pandemic in Puerto Rico.

“I can assure the people there that we couldn’t have been more reasonable and careful in organizing the activity,” said Pierluisi after announcing five new appointments to his cabinet.

“This operation is carried out with strict measures. Never seen before. No one goes there who doesn’t have a negative COVID-19 test, an antigen test that’s widely available, and it’s not a matter of lack of testing. There is plenty of that evidence, ”he added with some annoyance.

The number of guests invited to Pierluisi’s inauguration has led to multiple criticisms as it is a massive event set to take place amid one of the worst moments of the Puerto Rico pandemic and while an executive order is in effect that It among other things, prohibits crowds, visits to the beach (except for individual sports), the sale of alcoholic beverages between the early hours of Saturday and early Monday, and maintains a full closure on Sundays.

Pierluisi made it clear that he does not pay attention to the criticism that points to a double bar between what is asked of the citizen and what politicians do, and stressed that his activity is exempt from the executive order.

“There will always be someone to criticize, sometimes it is due to a diversity of opinions, sometimes it is due to lack of information, sometimes it is due to a partisan political agenda. I respect criticism. But the appointment of a governor is laid down in our constitution. It is an indispensable formality in a democracy like the one we live in Puerto Rico. And that act is carried out with strict measures, never seen beforeIf we are talking about 400 (guests), it is because, of course, you are, of course, approaching no more than the count of mayors, legislators and their partners, of 300 people, “he added.

In addition, he claimed that the number of guests is not considered high.

“It is not the rule that 3,000 people attend these kinds of activities. I think the numbers speak for themselves, he stressed to questions from El Nuevo Día.

He said earlier that he is “acting like a good parent by celebrating the activity and urging people” to witness it through the media.

A formal activity, similar to Pierluisi’s, took place in the White House when President Donald Trump proposed Judge Amy Coney Barrett as the candidate to fill the vacant federal Supreme Court position left after Judge Ruth’s death. Bader Ginsburg. Less than 400 people took part in that activity and days later more than 20 people became infected with COVID-19, including Trump himself.

The Department of Health today reported four new deaths from COVID-19, which have increased the total number of fatalities related to the virus since the start of the pandemic to 1,460, while another 947 confirmed positive cases, 260 likely positive cases. and 694 were registered. suspected positive cases.

No setbacks

On the other hand, Pierluisi denied that he had suffered a setback afterwards A bill that would have allowed him to name Nino Correa as property was not approved at the extraordinary session to continue to lead the Office for Emergency Management and Disaster Administration (NMEAD).

The piece of legislation, ordered by Pierluisi to be attended by the New Progressive majority, was not passed and aimed to amend the law that brought the Department of Public Safety to life so that the NMEAD Commissioner does not need to have a master’s degree. Correa does not have that requirement.

“It can’t be the other way around yet, because we haven’t started yet. We started on January 2, ”said Pierluisi.

When asked why it should not be seen as a setback if the legislative majority is made up of lawmakers from the New Progressive Party he chairs, Pierluisi said he would not enter the “interior of the legislative process”.

“Again, we need to focus on January 2nd. I have a new legislative assembly. The governors of the bodies are leaders of the Popular Democratic Party and not of my party. That is well known and I have said I will be in the best spirit to work together, reconcile and form a common front with the new leadership of the Legislative Assembly for the good of Puerto Rico, ”he stated.

In addition, he expected to leave Correa in office even if he does not meet all legal requirements.

“Nino Correa will stay with or without a title, he will be in that office,” said Pierluisi.

When asked about the sudden resignation of the Executive Director of the Highways and Transportation Authority (ACT), Rosana Aguila, the elected governor revealed that after the criticism received by the official during the transitional hearings, he decided to file his resignation effective December 31. .

“It is well known that she was criticized during the transition process for federal funds available to improve the ticket offices of the Tren Urbano stations and the Tren Urbano stations themselves, possibly causing inconvenience to the official and decided to go back to the private sector, ”said Pierluisi.

He reiterated that, together with designated person from the Ministry of Transport and Public Works, Eileen Vélez, he will choose a new person to lead the ACT.