Monday, April 12, 2004

Although surprised by accusations against three former members of his party, New Progressive Party (NPP) gubernatorial candidate Pedro Rossello said he is more determined than ever to stay the course and win the November general elections.

“This has been a very painful episode to see people who have collaborated with me being accused,” Rossello said in a radio interview after arriving on the island on Sunday.

Just as he has done in the past with other corruption scandals linked to members of his former administration, Rossello assured the people of Puerto Rico that he was unaware of the $2 million scheme related to the Superaqueduct project.

This time, the corruption scandal involved Rossello’s former campaign director Rene Vazquez Botet, former NPP Secretary General Marcos Morell, and former NPP Rep. Jose Granados Navedo.

“I have never obtained any illegal benefit, nor have I authorized or given instructions to commit illegal acts. I never knew of people who were committing illegal acts. So in that sense, I am completely at ease,” Rossello said.

Rossello said that although he once considered Vazquez Botet to be a very close friend, they had become distant, especially since Rossello’s political comeback because he wanted to convey the message of change.

Nevertheless, Rossello acknowledged that this new scandal would cast a shadow on his party and would give his opponents plenty of ammunition against him. However, he said he trusts that the people of Puerto Rico will be able to tell the truth from the political propaganda of the Popular Democratic Party (PDP).

Rossello said the PDP has had a long history of winning elections by demoralizing its opponents rather than presenting a competent government plan that could speak for itself.

“They said former Gov. Luis A. Ferre was a weak man surrounded by corrupt people and Ferre lost. I remember the merciless campaign they carried out against former Gov. Carlos Romero when they accused him of murder. Now they are trying to do the same with me, just as they did back in 1992 when they falsely accused me of income tax fraud,” said Rossello.

“Just as they didn’t succeed in 1992 and in 1996, they won’t succeed this time,” Rossello stated.

Rossello said he feels he has learned the hard way that he must be more alert when it comes to ensuring a healthy administration. He also said he would make it a priority to ensure that the interests of the Puerto Rican people are well looked after.