Treasury Nomination Nixed

The Puerto Rico Senate last week rejected the nomination of Jose Guillermo Davila as treasury secretary, a move that will make current assistant secretary Angel Ortiz acting secretary until Gov. Anibal Acevedo Vila announces a new candidate.

The governor, a member of the People’s Democratic Party, designated Davila to replace outgoing Treasury Secretary Juan Carlos Mendez in mid-December. New Progressive Party senators, including Migdalia Padilla — who heads the Senate Budget Committee — for months have spoken against the nomination.

Before taking over Mendez’s post in the Treasury Department, Davila served as executive director for the office of management and budget, with Armando Valdes now heading the department.

In a prepared statement, the governor’s office expressed its regret for the action, but stressed that all of the administration’s fiscal and economic programs “will remain on course.”

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