Jalisco Governor Aristoteles Sandoval reckons the corruption scandals that have tainted the image of the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) of late will not influence voters in the July 1 elections in this state.
Speaking at the unveiling of the PRI’s electoral platform this week, Sandoval distanced himself from three former governors of his party implicated in corrupt practices last year.
Tomas Yarrington (Tamaulipas, 1999-2004) is awaiting extradition from Italy, accused of profiting from the network of the Gulf drug cartel. Meanwhile, Javier Duarte (Veracruz, 2010-2015) has been charged with funneling US$35 million to shell companies, in addition to purchasing numerous properties in Mexico and other countries, while Humberto Moreira (Coahuila, 2005-2011) was arrested in Spain last year on suspicion of money laundering and embezzlement. He was released and is living in Barcelona but has been expelled from the PRI amid accusations at home of multiple wrongdoings.
Sandoval praised Jalisco as beacon of transparency.
“Yes, in other states, some governors have betrayed their fellow party members, as well as society in general,” Sandoval said. “Here (in Jalisco) we have done the opposite and will continue to do the opposite.”
However, the PRI’s woes escalated further last month when Alejandro Gutierrez, who was in charge of the party’s national accounting, was arrested on allegations that he illegally channeled public funds to political campaigns.
At this week’s meeting in Guadalajara, the party’s leadership unveiled a 16-point platform that their candidate for governor, Miguel Castro Reynoso, will take into the upcoming campaign. The “Todos Unidos por Jalisco” manifesto covers the environment, the creation of new jobs, the economic development of rural communities, sustainable mobility (transport), culture, human rights, transparency, security, innovation, infrastructure and health.
Castro stressed that it is not his aim to “reinvent” the state but provide “continuity” to the current administration’s successes. “Our (platform) is based on the demands of society, and is not an omnipotent project from someone offering solutions by waving a magic wand,” he said.
Questioned about other parties with varying ideologies that are considering forming alliances to combat the PRI’s strength in some races, Castro said they are simply “looking for power for the sake of power.”