PRM Senator Exposes Scandal at FEDA and Puts David Collado on the Defensive

Montecristi, DR: Senator Bernardo Alemán, representing the province of Montecristi and a member of the Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM), demanded the immediate dismissal of the director of the Special Fund for Agricultural Development (FEDA), Hecmilio Galván, after denouncing that employees of the institution were allegedly being pressured and threatened with dismissal if they did not express support for David Collado’s presidential project. The accusation, released as a local press statement, raises a serious ethical and legal dilemma amid the ruling party’s internal competition and could lead to significant political and reputational costs for the PRM.

Senator Alemán described the alleged practices as abusive, undemocratic, and contrary to the principles of the ruling party, urging PRM leadership and the Executive Branch to take firm action. “No public official has the right to use state resources or coerce public employees for personal or political purposes,” said the legislator. The allegation points directly to the misuse of public office for partisan gain, violating the legal principles of institutional neutrality and exposing growing internal tensions within the governing party.

Local PRM Response Fails to Dispel Doubts

Local PRM leader Juan Pablo Ramos

From Montecristi, PRM local leader Juan Pablo Ramos categorically denied that any pressure exists on FEDA employees. However, his statement, published in regional media, did not include documentary evidence or testimonies from workers refuting the accusations. For now, the denial is interpreted as a political defense without verifiable basis, leaving open the need for a formal investigation.

Law 20-23, the Organic Law on the Electoral Regime, establishes severe sanctions for those who use state resources, assets, or personnel for electoral purposes. Furthermore, the Central Electoral Board and the Superior Electoral Court may impose fines and prison sentences in cases of proselytism using public funds. If it were proven that institutional coercion or pressure originated from a state entity, the official involved would bear individual responsibility, and the PRM’s public image and credibility, built on promises of transparency and ethical governance, would suffer direct political consequences.

It is not the first time that Hecmilio Galván and FEDA have been at the center of controversy. In September 2023, the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for the Prosecution of Administrative Corruption (PEPCA) opened an investigation ex officio following reports of irregularities within the institution, including overpricing, unbid purchases, and conflicts of interest. Although that process was independent of the current Montecristi complaint, it reinforced public mistrust and increased scrutiny of FEDA’s management.

Electoral Risks for the PRM

This case poses several cumulative risks for the PRM. First, the legal and institutional risk: if the complaint is formalized and the Central Electoral Board acts upon it, the party could face sanctions leading to a nationwide political cost and a narrative of abuse of power within the ruling organization. Second, the reputational risk: a party perceived as tolerating clientelism or workplace coercion loses moral capital, a deterioration that extends beyond Montecristi and damages its national image during a critical electoral period. Third, the risk of internal fracture: the fact that the complaint comes from a senator of the same party reveals a political rift that could deepen if party leaders choose to downplay or ignore the issue. Finally, the collateral risk to David Collado’s image; even without direct involvement, the mere association of his name with such an accusation could taint his political project and harm his public perception as a reformist figure within the PRM.

Considering this situation, the PRM and the government should respond with immediate measures. An internal audit of FEDA and the issuance of formal protocols explicitly prohibiting political activities during working hours or on public premises would be essential steps to contain the damage. It is also crucial to protect public employees’ rights through a circular reaffirming the ban on political coercion and the use of the public payroll as a tool of pressure. If the ruling party wishes to preserve its legitimacy, it must lead by example, either by suspending the official or by promoting an independent investigation to restore public confidence in institutional management.

Montecristi is neither politically nor economically insignificant. It is a strategic hub for national agricultural development, and a barometer of how rural policies impact the PRM’s electoral base. If the perception takes hold that public resources are being used for political purposes in this region, the damage will transcend provincial boundaries and strike at the heart of the government’s message of transparency and institutional integrity.

Senator Bernardo Alemán’s complaint, though still in its early stages, exposes a deep internal fissure within the ruling party and presents a far-reaching political challenge. How the PRM and government authorities handle this case will determine not only their institutional credibility but also their internal stability in an election year that is already shaping up to be decisive.