The revelation comes just one day after the ongoing scandal from the lawmakers’ use of the slush found known as barrilito (little barrel), for which most of the senators would be charged with the violation of the Free Access to Public Information Law for failing to disclose their use of that money, of around RD$400,000 per month each.

Citizen Participation, Commissioner Isidoro Santana called the figure scandalous, and stressed that the money could’ve been used in social spending. He demanded a return to the previous system, where each legislator was assigned a vehicle which cannot be transferred to third parties.

He said many lawmakers import luxury vehicles costing as much as RD$15 million (US$400,000), without paying taxes, to soon sell them locally. “We know it’s much to ask, but we at least request an amendment to the law to allow one exemption every four years, placing a limit on the value of the vehicle which can be bought and make it intransferable, because if sold it must pay the corresponding taxes,” PC said in the report.

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