High court rules for VP Abad in suspension case; Will an apathetic public tune in to Sunday’s debate?; Some bank transfers must be immediate, Central Bank says

Ecuador’s Constitutional Court on Friday upheld a lower court ruling voiding the 150-day suspension of Vice President Verónica Abad by the labor ministry. In its ruling, the court said that popularly elected officials cannot be suspended or removed through administrative proceedings, which are under the control of the executive branch of the government.

Following Friday’s Constitutional Court decision rejecting her suspension by the Labor Ministry, Vice President Verónica Abad has filed a new suit to allow her to assume presidential duties while President Daniel Noboa campaigns for reelection.

President Daniel Noboa cited the suspension when he replaced Abad with Sahira Moya. Later, after Moya resigned and Noboa appointed Cynthia Gellibert, he cited Abad’s failure to report for new duties in Turkey. On two occasions, on January 9 and January 16, Noboa turned over presidential powers to Gellibert while he campaigned for reelection.

Following the administrative suspension ruling, Abad filed another appeal asking the court to declare unconstitutional Noboa’s assignment of duties to Gellibert. In her petition, Abad claims that as the popularly elected vice president, she should assume presidential duties when Noboa takes leave.

Will an apathetic public tune in to Sunday’s debate?
While several presidential candidates visited the debate stage at Ecuador TV studios Friday and Saturday, the question for most political analysts is how many Ecuadorians will tune in. “The level of voter interest in the debate is the lowest I’ve seen in 25 years,” said University of San Francisco political affairs professor Jorge Esteban.

Esteban cites two reasons for the apathy. “First, the two leading candidates, [President Daniel] Noboa and [Luisa] González, will not appear on the same stage,” he says. “And second, the biggest campaign issue for most voters a month ago, the energy crisis and blackouts, has faded from memory.”

Esteban agrees with other political experts that the debate offers a forum for lesser-known candidates to make a case for future consideration. “It’s unlikely that candidates polling less than one percent, which is true for 12 of the 16 contenders, will surge into a runoff position, but it provides them valuable time in the national spotlight.”

Due to the large field of candidates, the debate has been divided into two sessions, contestants being selected by a drawing of names.

The first group of candidates, including Noboa, begins at 7 p.m. Sunday on Ecuador TV. The second group, with González, debates at 8:35. The debate will also be broadcast live on YouTube and several social media sites.

Candidates included in the first debate session are: Henry Cucalón (Construye); Jimmy Jairala, (Centro Democrático); Francesco Tabacchi (CREO); Jorge Escala (Unidad Popular); Henry Kronfle (Social Christians); Luis Felipe Tillería (Avanza); Juan Iván Cueva (Amigo); and Daniel Noboa (National Democratic Action).

The second session includes: Enrique Gómez (SUMA); Luisa González (Citizens Revolution); Carlos Rabascall (Democratic Left); Andrea González (Patriotic Society); Pedro Granja (Socialist Party); Iván Saquicela (Democracia Sí); Leonidas Iza (Pachakutik); and Víctor Araus (People, Equality and Democracy).

In an average of five polls certified by the National Electoral Council, Noboa leads Luisa González by 3.5%, 34.3% to 30.8%. Of the other 14 candidates, only Leonidas Iza polls more than 2%.

Bank transfers must be immediate
The Central Bank’s Monetary Policy and Regulation Board has ordered that all bank transfers of less than $470 be made immediately. Currently, according to the board, many transfers take as long 72 hours to be completed. The board said immediate transfers above $470 will be phased in over the next 24 months.

The board’s decision is a reaction to complaints by bank customers of delays in receiving transferred funds. The board also said it was a “questionable practice” for banks to collect interest on transfers in the 72 hours between withdrawals from one account and credits to others.

Central Bank Manager Guillermo Avellán said it is time for Ecuadorian banks to join the international community of banks in making immediate transfers. “In the internet age, when money and information can be transmitted instantaneously, there is no excuse for delays except under irregular circumstances.”