President Fernandez Inaugurated and Swears in New Government

Dominican President Leonel Fernández was inaugurated for a third term in office on Saturday. He administered an oath of office to the new members of his government who will form part of his cabinet and ratified the current posts of his 13 cabinet members.

Dominican President Leonel Fernández was inaugurated for a third term in office on Saturday. He administered an oath of office to the new members of his government who will form part of his cabinet and ratified the current posts of his 13 cabinet members.

In keeping with Decree 293-08 and Article 55 of the Dominican Constitution, the Chief Executive designated Major General Pedro R. Peña Antonio, formerly of the Dominican Air Force, to be the Minister of the Armed Forces, a post that will include the rank of General Pilot.

Dr. César Pina Toribio was chosen to be Minister of the Presidency, a post that was previously vacant.

In the same Decree, the President named Melanio Paredes as Minister of Education, substituting Alejandrina Germán who will head the Ministry of Women.

Article 5 of the President’s decree designates José Ramón Fadul as Minister of Industry and Commerce while Article 6 designates Francisco Javier García as Minister of Tourism, replacing Felix Jiménez.

Jaime David Fernández Mirabal was named Minister of the Environment, replacing Omar Ramírez. The Labor Ministry will be headed by Maximiliano Puig, who is replacing José Ramón Fadul.

In the same decree, the President named Franklin Rodríguez as the Minister of Youth, substituting Manuel Crespo.

During the ceremony, held in the Ambassadors Hall of the National Palace , President Leonel Fernández confirmed the current posts of his other 13 cabinet members.

Those officials confirmed include Carlos Morales Troncoso as Foreign Minister, Juan Temistoclés Montás as Economy, Planning and Development Minister and Luis Manuel Bonetti as the Administrative Director of the Presidency.

Also reconfirmed was Radhamés Jiménez as Attorney General, Vicente Bengoa as the Minister of the Treasury Department, Franklin Almeyda Rancier as Minister of Interior and Police and Ligia Amada Melo as Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology.

Minister of Sports, Felipe “Jay” Payano will remain in his post as will Agriculture Minister Salvador Jiménez, Víctor Díaz Rua as Public Works Minister, Rafael Lantigua as Minister of Culture, Dr. Bautista Rojas Gómez as Minister of Public Health and Ramón Ventura Camejo as Minister of Public Administration.