Santo Domingo.- The Minister of Justice, Antoliano Peralta, rejected that there are pressures or predetermined decisions behind the decision of judges of the Supreme Court of Justice (SCJ) not to continue in the evaluation process before the National Council of the Magistracy (CNM).
Peralta responded to the questions during the XXIV Ordinary National Convention of the Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM), a setting in which he was approached by members of the press regarding the versions attributing the decision of some magistrates to alleged pressures or the fear of not being ratified.
“That is a fantasy and a legend,” stated Peralta, who maintained that the decisions adopted by the magistrates are due to particular circumstances and the exercise of their rights.
The official noted that two Supreme Court justices have decided not to continue as magistrates and defended that each member of the high court may have different reasons for making that decision.
“These are personal situations for each individual,” the official stated, explaining that some magistrates have developed a large part of their professional career within the Judiciary, while others may choose to conclude that stage of their careers.
Likewise, he indicated that, according to information he has received, at least one of the magistrates had made the decision for family reasons related to the health of a relative who requires their attention.
Regarding the allegations that some judges may have withdrawn because they believe the selection of the Supreme Court members is predetermined, Peralta questioned the lack of evidence to support those claims.
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“And what proof have they given of that?”, asked the minister, who reiterated that the versions regarding alleged pressures constitute a “legend”.
Peralta defends Abinader’s performance in the CNM
The minister also defended the role of President Luis Abinader within the National Council of the Magistracy and assured that the president has respected the independence of that body in the judge selection processes.
“President Abinader is probably the president of the National Council of the Magistracy who has most respected the council’s own freedom to choose the judges,” he maintained.
Peralta also mentioned the constitutional reform promoted during the Abinader administration and highlighted the exclusion of the Attorney General of the Republic from the composition of the CNM, noting that this position previously represented a vote linked to the Executive Branch.
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The official also recalled that the constitutional reform established provisions intended to prevent Abinader from being able to run for the Presidency of the Republic again after completing his second term.
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With these arguments, Peralta insisted on ruling out that there is any pressure from the Government or the National Council of the Magistracy against the judges of the Supreme Court of Justice who have decided not to submit to a new evaluation process.
