PPD Leader Pablo José Hernández Presents Philosophy of Putting People First
At the party's general assembly in Ponce, the PPD president outlined a 10-year institutional government plan, reaffirmed support for enhanced Estado Libre Asociado and called for removing the fiscal oversight board.
File photoThe short version
- El Nuevo Día reports Pablo José Hernández Rivera presented the PPD philosophy centered on putting the human being and basic needs first as part of the Puerto Rican community
- El Vocero and El Nuevo Día indicate he announced work on a 10-year institutional government plan instead of a four-year one
- According to El Nuevo Día, Hernández called for removing the fiscal oversight board, a second electoral round, citizen referendums and laws to remove officials before their term ends
- El Nuevo Día reported he stated the real problem is who governs and for whom, reaffirmed the PPD is autonomist and supports improving the Estado Libre Asociado
Philosophy and Long-Term Vision
Pablo José Hernández Rivera, president of the Partido Popular Democrático (PPD), presented the party's philosophy during its general assembly held Sunday at the Complejo Ferial in Ponce. El Nuevo Día reported that he summarized it in two pillars: putting the human being and basic needs first, and declaring the party as unicentro and of social justice.
Hernández Rivera arrived after 1:30 p.m. and addressed a crowd that filled the venue. He stated the philosophy is not individualistic or materialistic but focuses on the human being as part of the community known as the people of Puerto Rico. Its goal is for Puerto Ricans to reach their maximum potential free of obstacles such as poverty, lack of electricity, water scarcity, violence and other material and spiritual ills, El Nuevo Día reported.
He insisted the PPD is the only party that can defeat the Partido Nuevo Progresista (PNP) in upcoming elections. The leader, who has not made official any candidacy for governor in 2028, said he will now focus on developing an institutional government plan for a decade rather than four years. "Here one has to think big and think long term," he told reporters, according to El Nuevo Día. El Vocero reported that he highlighted the need for a long-term plan and working with everyone.
Policy Proposals and Status Position
Hernández Rivera said the PPD will advocate for the removal of the Junta de Supervisión Fiscal, a second round of voting if no gubernatorial candidate obtains a majority, the ability for citizens to propose, approve and repeal laws via referendum, legislation allowing the removal of an official before the end of their term, and a responsible government that spends only what it has. El Nuevo Día reported these positions.
On the status issue, he invited populares to rethink it from another angle. He asserted that people know the problem of Puerto Rico is not its status but who governs, how and for whom. He rejected the idea that the PPD fears discussing status, reaffirmed that the party is autonomist and believes in maintaining and improving the Estado Libre Asociado. He mentioned a federal bill presented with Democratic congressmen that outlines this vision, El Nuevo Día reported.
Criticism of Opponents and Party Renewal
The PPD leader criticized political opponents and reviewed controversies of the Jenniffer González administration. He recalled that Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz supported the 2009 Law 7 that led to thousands of public employee dismissals under Luis Fortuño and voted for the public-private partnership with LUMA Energy. Hernández Rivera said of him, "He is the one who fights more with Puerto Ricans than for Puerto Ricans," El Nuevo Día reported.
Addressing questions about the PPD positioning itself as a vehicle for change after finishing third in past elections, he pointed to more than 7,000 people who voted to elect new members of the party's Junta de Gobierno. Those elected include Coamo Mayor Juan Carlos García Padilla, Loíza Mayor Julia Nazario, senators Ada Álvarez Conde and Marially González Huertas, Representative Ramón Torres, and Ingrid Colberg and Morgan Cordero Calderón for San Juan and Bayamón districts, according to El Nuevo Día.
Hernández Rivera argued the PPD is the only party with new leadership, stating that the PNP and the Partido Independentista Puertorriqueño (PIP) have had the same leaders for 20 years. He noted that even Juan Dalmau had said so, adding that he himself was in diapers when Dalmau began, El Nuevo Día reported.
Where the sources differ
Both El Nuevo Día and El Vocero covered the PPD general assembly in Ponce on Sunday where Pablo José Hernández Rivera spoke. El Nuevo Día provided extensive details on the philosophy of putting the human being first within the community, specific policy proposals including removing the fiscal board and referendum powers, the 10-year plan, status comments, criticism of Thomas Rivera Schatz and election of new Junta members. El Vocero's partial report highlighted the long-term plan and the need to "work with all," but added no conflicting facts or numbers. The sources agree on the event, location, speaker and emphasis on long-term planning.
What the reports do not say
The reports do not specify the exact attendance figure at the assembly beyond describing a filled venue and over 7,000 voters for the Junta. They do not detail the content or timeline of the 10-year plan, the specific federal legislation mentioned for the Estado Libre Asociado, or any concrete next steps or dates for advancing the proposals. Responses from other parties to the criticisms or philosophy were not included.
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.
- Reporting “Poner primero al ser humano y sus necesidades”: la filosofía del PPD bajo el liderato de Pablo José Hernández
- Reporting Pablo José destaca plan "a largo plazo" y necesidad de "trabajar con todos"
How we checked this
El Nuevo Día supplied the large majority of details on the philosophy, proposals, status discussion, criticisms and new leadership elections. El Vocero contributed the emphasis on working with everyone and long-term planning but its report was partial. All information rests on these two outlets' coverage of the Oct. 11, 2026 event.
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.