González Nominates Martínez as Housing Chief

Martínez Nominated as Housing Secretary

Jenniffer González nominates Luis Augusto Martínez as the permanent secretary of the Department of Housing. The lawyer has held the position on an interim basis since Ciary Pérez's resignation. Governor Jenniffer Gonzalez nominated Luis Augusto Martinez Roman on Monday as the permanent secretary of the Department of Housing, a government agency she has been leading on an interim basis since the resignation of Ciary Perez Peña, due to a controversy over irregularities in an inspection center that was registered in her name.

Background and Interim Role

According to the press release from La Fortaleza, the lawyer has a “distinguished career in public service and the legal sector, characterized by his high sense of responsibility and expertise in government affairs.” Following his interim appointment, El Nuevo Día requested -on several occasions- an interview with Secretary Martínez Román, but it was not granted, under the premise that he was holding meetings to acclimate himself to the position he has held since March 16.

Additional Government Appointments

The chief executive also appointed Dr. Catherine Oliver Franco, who currently heads the Mental Health and Addiction Services Administration (Assmca), as Patient Advocate, a position she will retain until she is confirmed. Meanwhile, to head the Family Socioeconomic Development Administration (ADSEF), González appointed Blanca Medina Díaz, who is currently the agency's administrative and programmatic advisor. She has also served as ADSEF's deputy administrator and director of the Child Care program, among other positions.

Vacancies and Legal Appointments

The leadership of ADSEF became vacant after the resignation of Ramón Burgos Bermúdez in February, just days after the Senate rejected his appointment as a municipal judge. As a Member of the Board of Directors of the State Insurance Fund Corporation, the governor submitted the appointment of Vanessa Del Moral Rosario. For the positions of Assistant Prosecutor I, the governor appointed attorneys Derick Rivera Muñiz, Carolina Medina de Gracia, Gina Patricia Díaz Ortiz, and Natalie M. Martínez Muñiz. For promotion to Assistant Prosecutor II, attorneys Yamilza Mabel Vázquez Cuevas and Maylén Colón Cabán were appointed. The nomination of attorney Wandie Camacho Santiago as Prosecutor for Juvenile Affairs was submitted to the Senate for consideration.