Spanish
SANTO DOMINGO. — The Senate President, Ricardo de los Santos, announced after a meeting with the legislators of the Upper House, to request the Chamber of Accounts to conduct a comprehensive audit of its operations from the year 2020 to date. This decision responds to the call of the investigation "Under the Spotlight", which revealed irregularities in the management of public resources allocated to the Senate.
De los Santos highlighted that, as the first power of the State, senators have the responsibility to act with complete transparency and demonstrate how public funds are managed. He emphasized that the request for the audit reflects the Senate's commitment to accountability and citizen trust.
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The Senate President recalled that, upon assuming the presidency in 2023, he found a "turbulent" environment in the Upper House due to internal conflicts and the modification of Law 18-24, which regulates the functioning of the Senate. These circumstances prevented requesting an audit at the time, but now, with the situation stabilized, it is considered appropriate to proceed with the audit.
During Thursday's session, De los Santos informed the legislators about the request sent to the Chamber of Accounts and highlighted the importance of setting an example in the management of public resources. "We understand that as the first power of the State we must set an example of how to manage other people's resources with transparency," he said.
This measure is part of a context of institutional strengthening, where the Chamber of Accounts, under the presidency of Emma Polanco, has proposed to conduct at least 70 audits during the year 2025, with the aim of reducing the backlog of 225 audits accumulated by the previous administration.
The Senate's audit request reinforces the National Congress's commitment to transparency and the proper use of public resources, in line with the efforts of the Accounts Chamber to improve oversight in the country.
Research Work Under The Spotlight
With a budget exceeding RD$2.5 billion in the year 2025, the Senate of the Dominican Republic not only legislates: it also administers and executes public resources with little external supervision. An investigation reveals that, since 2014, the Chamber of Accounts has not audited the legislative body, despite being legally obligated to do so.
During the first quarter of 2025, the Senate executed more than RD$30 million in minor purchases and awards below the threshold, without registering a single public tender in all of 2024 and with barely one published until March 2025.
Among the most striking expenses are allocations for luxury institutional stationery, expensive decoration, out-of-season festive purchases, and an inflated payroll. The senatorial office of Santiago, under the direction of Senator Daniel Rivera, allocated more than RD$256 thousand for stationery with a gold leaf shield.
In July 2024, almost RD$1.3 million was invested in the making of 11 curtains for the National Assembly Hall, with unit costs exceeding RD$114,000. In January 2025, more than RD$500,000 was approved for the purchase of chocolate, ginger, and cookies for Christmas sharing, awarded to a single company.
Purchases of ergonomic armchairs and floral arrangements for over RD$700,000 for the Senate dining room were also reported.
At the personnel level, although the institution has 34 senators, the monthly payroll includes 2,239 permanent employees, with an expenditure exceeding RD$93 million in salaries. Within the structure, 61 advisors stand out, several without clear functions, and cases that could be indications of nepotism were identified.
The lack of audits by the Chamber of Accounts prevents a clear verification of the use of public funds, while the Senate continues to execute resources without the controls established by law.
