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Writer's pictureThe San Juan Daily Star

Incoming Santa Isabel mayor sues to force transition


Santa Isabel Mayor-elect Meldwin Rivera Rodríguez

By THE STAR STAFF


Santa Isabel Mayor-elect Meldwin Rivera Rodríguez on Wednesday filed a mandamus in court against outgoing Mayor Rafael “Billy” Burgos Santiago and the southern coastal town’s Outgoing Transition Committee to force them to begin the transition process immediately.


“Evidently, the outgoing administration, led by its mayor, Hon. Rafael ‘Billy’ Burgos Santiago, is knowingly and intentionally failing to comply with the provisions of Act 107 of 2020, and they are subject to the sanctions imposed by law,” Rivera Rodríguez said through his legal representation.


The incoming mayor, as plaintiff, said the intention of some officials to take an administrative break has worsened and delayed the lawful transition process. He reminded the court that Act 107 establishes severe consequences for officials who destroy, misplace, hide or refuse to deliver information, intending to delay or obstruct a government transition or evading their ministerial responsibilities. Penalties could lead to a sentence of up to six years in prison.


The plaintiffs pointed out that the Outgoing Transition Committee needs to provide a place within the mayor’s office to conduct transition hearings, another legal provision with which it has failed to comply.


“The conduct demonstrated by the members of the Outgoing Committee disregards compliance with the law, causing delays, since the transition is supposed to have begun on November 20, 2024 and ends on December 31, 2024,” they warned.


To date, the Outgoing Transition Committee has not complied with delivering the sworn transition report or the information required by Article 2,001 of the Municipal Code.


The court petition seeks an order forcing the outgoing mayor to comply with the transition process, guaranteeing order in the change of command, and preventing the possible commission of serious crimes.

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