Puerto Rico governor steps down
Credit to Author: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE| Date: Sat, 03 Aug 2019 19:05:10 +0000
MIAMI: Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rossello stepped down as planned on Friday (Saturday in Manila) after being pushed out of office by massive street protests, though uncertainty clouded over his replacement.
With hundreds of people in the streets ahead of Rossello’s exit, the House of Representatives confirmed Pedro Pierluisi as secretary of state, making him the US territory’s interim leader.
Rossello had nominated Pierluisi, a member of his New Progressive Party, as secretary of state on Wednesday, lining him up to serve as governor until the next elections in November 2020.
“I accept this responsibility with the greatest respect for our people and our system of government,” Pierluisi said at a small swearing-in ceremony.
“The Puerto Rican people can rest assured that its government is in good hands,” he stressed.
However, Pierluisi’s appointment as secretary of state had not been confirmed by the Senate, which was in recess. It is scheduled to consider the matter next week, leaving Pierluisi’s status open to legal challenge.
“If I am not confirmed in my post, then Justice Secretary Wanda Vazquez will be in line to take over as [interim] governor,” Pierluisi said.
Protests in Puerto Rico started July 13, when the Center for Investigative Journalism released 889 pages of leaked text chats.
In the texts, Rossello and 11 other male administration members made fun of women, gays, victims of Hurricane Maria in 2017, journalists and other politicians.
Among those they made homophobic jokes about was San Juan native pop star Ricky Martin.