barriomulas.com - Barriomulas on Acevedo Vila II

Puerto Rico Governor Anibal Acevedo Vila had turned himself into authorities yesterday morning and was release with no bail. Though he leads the list of the 13 charged PPD members (see a scan of the original charges here), he was not publically arrested, handcuffed, or charged bail. His associated, on the other hand, were charged $100,000 bail (El Nuevo Dia, 3/28). Obviously, due to his position as Governor, he was not subjected to the embarrassing arrests pictured on our television screens.

I'm surprised to see how the PPD is supporting him so fervently. Most of the chants coming from pro-Acevedo crowds and rally speakers don't declare his innocence, but question the Federal Investigator's jurisdiction's in the case. We all know deep down inside that the charges are true.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that $180,000 had been raised in the New Jersey and Philadelphia areas by Acevedo's campaign for 2004 Governor (Philadelphia Inquirer 11/18/07). What do New Jersey and Philadelphia businessmen have to do with Acevedo? Even if they might have had blood ties to Puerto Rico or some sort of ideological conviction (a feeling that Acevedo can't stir up), it's universally known that donations of these sorts obviously have their financial intention. Even if those $180,000 were donated in Puerto Rico, I could guarantee you that they were given with the intention to obtain favorable status in future government contracts.

What's annoying is hearing how people will half-heartedly admit that Acevedo has committed such crimes, but say, "if they were to apply the same standards to other U.S. Congressmen, we would see that they are all breaking the law." Others forgive him saying that "the money belongs to the party and private financers, not the public." Very much true; campaign finance reform is something that we have to talk about; but whether or not everybody else is doing it, we all know that he has his hands dirty. There are plenty of PNP that are much worse then Acevedo; the only thing is that Acevedo was caught and the others weren't. Tough shit. We're all used to the failed attempts to divert policemen's attention to speeding passer-byers as he gives you a ticket. PPD have just as much right as Romero Barcelo to file a complaint to the FBI concerning illegal campaign funding.

As I mentioned before, Acevedo Vila is attempting to whip up nationalist support in his defense against the Feds. Party leaders have referred to the Federal Investigators as "foreigners" and have ranted on about the need to revise our relationship with the federal government. Ironically, it's working. Even Ruben Berrios made statements attacking colonialism, and not even touching the subject of whether or not he believes Acevedo Vila is innocent or not (Primera Hora, 3/28).I can see how independentistas can reject these events as signs of selectiveness on behalf of Federal Investigators, but I don't see how they can sympathize with the guy. Acevedo Vila has done little to attack federal institutions even after their interference in the pivazo ordeal, the killing of Filiberto Ojeda, and a wave of FBI harrasment against independentistas. I simply see this as punishment for Acevedo for passivly shrugging his shoulders at past instances of innecesary federal investigations.

Acevedo Vila claims that he is being targeted because he is a Democrat (Miami Herald 3/28) and claimed that the Bush Administration was attempting to assist a Republican defeat him in the upcoming elections (San Juan Star, 3/29). Not only do I have to ask what would be the benefits for the federal government if they were to destroy the career of a Democrat Governor of a non-voting, under-represented colony? Acevedo Vila is probably one of the least progressive characters in the PPD with very few things separating himself from his Republican counterpart. I would also like to point out that in recent years Governors of Connecticut, Ohio, and Illinois have also been subjected to federal investigations, all of which were Republicans.

It was ironic to see Governor Acevedo Vila wandering the streets of Old San Juan after his release in a casual move meant to display the "normalcy" of La Fortaleza. After all the ranting against Americans and the need to rethink our relationship with the federal government, Acevedo Vila walked down the street to buy a cup of coffee at Starbucks. Boy. It would have been a little more consistent of himself to stop at a small panaderia. While this is a tiny detail, it does show that Acevedo's nationalistic ranting is simply a tool of his to assist him in his dilemma.

The PPD has also decided to create a fund for Acevedo Vila's defense (El Nuevo Dia, 3/29). I'm supposing that the only reason Acevedo Vila has yet to resign from his post as Governor and PPD President (common, he has to know that his political career is dead!) is that as a private citizen he would have no party backing to finance his defense. Acevedo's lawyer is infamously expensive, and it's much easier to defend yourself from such a costly process as Governor than private citizen. Acevedo his holding the PPD hostage for his personal defense. I must honestly say that it's embarrassing for me to see my party pay for Acevedo's legal fees.

Let's see what happens in the following days.

mPR said:

It's true, that people have come up so fervently at Anibal's defense doesn't make sense. I never got the impression he was more popular as president of the party than he is as governor of the country - in other words, I don't know a single popular who was pleased with him. We all wanted a different person to run for governor, but the party's biggest fear since '68 is the party being split, even for just a moment, between two candidates.

Some people think Anibal is being all brave now, though. Challenging the feds, etc. This isn't the country of the "ay bendito" for nothing, after all.

Berrios's expressions weren't surprising at all, I think. The independentistas are more obsessed about colonialism than anyone else and see everything through their nationalist lens. I'm sure there are some reasonable ones, though.

March 31, 2008 2:27 PM