Lawmaker's driver can run errands

A driver can ferry a lawmaker on personal errands, if necessary, according to an administrative order issued by a former House Speaker more than four years ago.

Article XIV, Section 2 of Administrative Order 2007-12 states that any House member can use the services of their officially assigned vehicles including attending personal situations.

“In any official or personal errands of the Representative or any family member that live under the same roof as long as it is the Representative or an authorized official who drives the vehicle,” the document reads.

On Friday, Justice Secretary Guillermo Somoza referred Popular Democratic Party Rep. Carmen Yulín Cruz to a Special Independent Prosecutor panel for allegations that she used her driver to run personal errands.

Cruz has not commented on the matter because she had not been personally served with the complaint.


Other accusations involve taking food to one of Cruz’s aunts.

The Order was issued in 2007 by then House Speaker Jose Aponte and profiled all the responsibilities and rules governing the use of public funds and assets, including personal and vehicles.

The order still holds as it was extended by the current House leader, New Progressive Party Rep. Jenniffer González.

“The lawmakers can use their vehicles to do personal errands as well as official duties. The Comptroller Office also issued a statement that, among other things, argued that while the driver can take a legislator to and from a political event, they can’t participate,” Aponte said.

The Comptroller Order, issued in June 2003 under the banner of Administrative Memo 03-09, regulates the use of official vehicles and drivers assigned to them.

In the memo, the Office states that public resources can’t be used for political gains disconnected from the political-legislative process.

On page seven of the Office of Legislative Services memo of 2003, its director, Elba Rodríguez Fuentes argues that “a legislator can use his/her assigned official vehicle for family activities, but not to transport individuals to a political rally.”

The memo also reiterated Aponte’s position.

“The lawmakers and officials with assigned vehicles can use them 24 hours a day for all errands, official or personal, as long as the lawmaker or the authorized official drives the vehicle.”

On Tuesday Cruz met with her attorney, Harry Anduze, to discuss the matter and craft a response, once they are summoned by the SIP panel.