Jean Peña Payano Says Controversies Over Suzanne Roig Hurt Government Image
The La Fortaleza public affairs secretary acknowledged the effect of the Family Department secretary's investigation while confirming she remains in her post.
File photoThe short version
- Jean Peña Payano told El Nuevo Día on Thursday that controversies surrounding Suzanne Roig Fuertes affect the image of Governor Jenniffer González Colón's administration
- Peña Payano said every controversy that is not handled correctly distracts from government work and that the focus must remain on solving people's problems
- He stated that Roig Fuertes remains in her position as of Thursday and that all trust employees including himself are under constant evaluation by the governor
- The comments follow the Department of Justice's preliminary investigation announced Tuesday into alleged undue pressure by Roig for federal contracts
Acknowledgment of Political Impact
Jean Peña Payano, secretary of Public Affairs at La Fortaleza, recognized on Thursday that the controversies involving Family Secretary Suzanne Roig Fuertes are affecting the image of Governor Jenniffer González Colón's administration. El Nuevo Día reported
When asked directly if the controversies harm the perception of the governor and her administration, Peña Payano replied "Eso es correcto". He added that each controversy, if not addressed correctly, will always distract from the management of any government. He stressed the need to keep communicating and, above all, not to be distracted from solving problems for the people.
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What the sources posted
Posts and statements below are the sources' own words, quoted as published. They are not independently verified.
Eso es correcto
Our translation: That is correct
The source's own statement, as quoted by El Nuevo Día. Not verified by PuertoRico.com.
Status of Roig and Ongoing Probe
Peña Payano said Governor González Colón has been emphatic that the allegations must be investigated and urged against jumping to conclusions. He confirmed that Roig Fuertes "al sol de hoy se mantiene en su posición" while noting that all officials of trust, including himself and cabinet chiefs, are subject to constant evaluation. El Nuevo Día reported
The statements come after Secretary of Justice Lourdes Gómez Torres announced on Tuesday the start of a preliminary investigation against Roig Fuertes for alleged undue pressures to award contracts with federal funds. The probe was triggered by a referral from Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz following complaints by former Adsef administrator Blanca Medina Díaz. Medina Díaz alleged that Roig Fuertes harassed and pressured her to evaluate and award contracts to two companies.
Where the sources differ
Both El Nuevo Día and Metro Puerto Rico report on statements by Jean Peña Payano. The sources agree on his role as secretary of Public Affairs at La Fortaleza. El Nuevo Día on Oct. 22 focuses exclusively on his recognition that controversies over Suzanne Roig Fuertes damage the government's image, details of the Justice Department preliminary investigation, and his comments on Roig's status. Metro Puerto Rico on Oct. 20 reports solely on Peña Payano's personal announcement that he will become a father to a boy in March 2027. There are no overlapping facts or conflicts between the two reports.
What the reports do not say
The reports do not state whether Governor Jenniffer González Colón has made any direct public comment on the Roig investigation or Peña Payano's remarks. They provide no timeline for when the governor might complete her evaluation of Roig Fuertes, no details on the specific evidence presented so far in the preliminary investigation, and no information on whether the two companies named have commented. The outcome of the 90-day probe and any decision by the Panel on the Independent Special Prosecutor also remain unaddressed.
Sources
Every link below was opened and checked when this story was published. Official means a government body, agency or the organization itself; Reporting means a news outlet.
- Official Jean Peña Payano reconoce que controversias sobre Suzanne Roig afectan la imagen del gobierno
- Reporting Jean Peña Payano reconoce que controversias sobre Suzanne Roig afectan la imagen del gobierno
- Reporting Jean Peña Payano anuncia que será padre
How we checked this
El Nuevo Día reported the government image comments and investigation background on Thursday. Metro Puerto Rico reported the separate personal announcement two days earlier. The connection between the two stories rests on the single public figure of Jean Peña Payano; no other organizations are cited.
Compiled by the PuertoRico.com News Desk from the reports and statements listed above, and checked against them before publishing. It does not include original interviews. Spot an error? Email support@puertorico.com with a link to this story.