Chamber of Accounts analyzes the impact of the new Penal Code on public procurement processes

Santo Domingo. The Chamber of Accounts of the Dominican Republic (CCRD), in coordination with the World Compliance Association, held the workshop “Compliance in the Public Sector: a look at risk management in public procurement”, with the aim of strengthening the capabilities of public servants in matters of transparency, ethics, and the prevention of legal liabilities.

The session was led by lawyer and international consultant Babaji Cruz Peñaló, a specialist in criminal compliance, anti-bribery, integrity, and public procurement, who addressed the challenges that state institutions will face with the entry into force of the new Penal Code, scheduled for August 6, 2026.

During his presentation, Cruz Peñaló explained that Law 47-25 and the new criminal provisions establish higher levels of responsibility for public officials involved in procurement processes, who could be held criminally liable as authors, co-authors, or accomplices for irregularities committed at any stage of said procedures.

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The specialist also warned that the status of public servant constitutes an aggravating circumstance for the sentence, in accordance with article 77 of the new Penal Code, for which he called for strengthening the culture of compliance within State institutions.

“The public servant must understand that their work implies not only an administrative obligation, but also a criminal responsibility. Promoting a culture of compliance is the best tool to protect the integrity of the institution and that of the official themselves,” they stated.

The activity was led by the member of the Chamber of Accounts Plenary, Ramón Méndez Acosta, who highlighted the organization’s commitment to transparency and the proper administration of public resources.

“We have a solid institution, open and committed to its role of guaranteeing an ethical and transparent public administration. Activities like this are fundamental to updating our knowledge and reinforcing internal controls,” he/she expressed.

The workshop was aimed at professionals in law, auditing, management, and those in charge of various areas of the Chamber of Accounts, and was coordinated by the office of Plenary member Francisco Franco.

The meeting was attended by the institution’s president, Emma Polanco Melo; vice president Francisco Tamárez Florentino; member Ramón Méndez Acosta, as well as directors, managers, and collaborators from various departments of the oversight body.

The training was developed within the framework of Compliance Week, an initiative promoted by the Plenary of the Chamber of Accounts to promote good governance, transparency, and the strengthening of control mechanisms in public administration.