Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Hsueh Ling (
Hsueh said she would resign if the bribery accusation was confirmed.
With the by-election for the DPP's chairperson taking place on Sunday, rumors and hate mail have been spreading with growing intensity among grassroots DPP members.
One rumor said that Chen Sheng-hung (陳勝宏), a member of the DPP's central standing committee, and Hsueh, his wife, have paid the annual party fees for employees of Sunny Bank (陽信銀行) -- which is run by the Chens -- and have asked their employees to vote for their favored candidate, Legislator Chai Trong-rong (蔡同榮), for chairperson.
Chen, who is also the convener of the Green Alliance, and Hsueh were also said to be attempting to influence the outcome of the by-election through voting-buying to secure their position in the DPP.
Hsueh and Chen were furious about the rumors and rushed to DPP headquarters yesterday at noon to protest.
"I think it is shameful for some people to blacken our names by spreading such a rumor," Hsueh said yesterday.
Later in the afternoon, when Lu walked out of the weekly central standing committee, Hsueh blocked her path and pleaded with the acting chairwoman to investigate the incident and find out who was behind the rumor.
Facing reporters' inquiries and Hsueh's pleas, Lu said that paying the annual fees of other members wasn't a problem, because to be eligible to vote in the by-election, members have to have paid their fees before Oct. 17 last year.
"Therefore, I do not think the recent rumor makes any sense," Lu said, asking Hsueh to offer an explanation.
"The DPP has adopted high moral standards in every election and I hope we take the same attitude in this by-election," Hsueh said. "If I have bought votes for Tsai or anyone, I will immediately resign from my position as a legislator-at-large."
At a news conference held after the central standing committee, DPP Secretary-General Lee Yi-yang (
"Although the DPP encourages party members to hand in their annual fees for themselves, it is not against party regulations for certain members to help other members retain their membership," Lee said.
On reforming the problem of so-called "nominal" party members -- meaning members whose memberships have been paid by other DPP members -- central standing committee member Cheng Po-ching (
Cheng's proposal obtained the support of some other members.
Meanwhile, Lu announced that party's new committee against corruption will start investigating four cases reported by the public but that the DPP will not publicize the process until the cases are closed.
Aftershocks from a magnitude 6.2 earthquake that struck off Yilan County at 3:45pm yesterday could reach a magnitude of 5 to 5.5, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. Seismological Center technical officer Chiu Chun-ta (邱俊達) told a news conference that the epicenter of the temblor was more than 100km from Taiwan. Although predicted to measure between magnitude 5 and 5.5, the aftershocks would reach an intensity of 1 on Taiwan’s 7-tier scale, which gauges the actual effect of an earthquake, he said. The earthquake lasted longer in Taipei because the city is in a basin, he said. The quake’s epicenter was about 128.9km east-southeast
GENSLER SURVEY: ‘Economic infrastructure is not enough. A city needs to inspire pride, offer moments of joy and foster a sense of belonging,’ the company said Taipei was named the city with the “highest staying power” in the world by US-based design and architecture firm Gensler. The Taiwanese capital earned the top spot among 65 cities across six continents with 64 percent of Taipei respondents in a survey of 33,000 people saying they wanted to stay in the city. Rounding out the top five were Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City (61 percent), Singapore (59 percent), Sydney (58 percent) and Berlin (51 percent). Sixth to 10th place went to Monterrey, Mexico; Munich, Germany; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Vancouver; and Seoul. Cities in the US were ranked separately, with Minneapolis first at
The New Taipei City Government today warned about the often-overlooked dangers of playing in water, and recommended safe swimming destinations to cool off from the summer heat. The following locations in the city as safe and fun for those looking to enjoy the water: Chienshuiwan (淺水灣), Baishawan (白沙灣), Jhongjiao Bay (中角灣), Fulong Beach Resort (福隆海水浴場) and Sansia District’s (三峽) Dabao River (大豹溪), New Taipei City Tourism and Travel Department Director-General Yang Tsung-min (楊宗珉) said. Outdoor bodies of water have variables outside of human control, such as changing currents, differing elevations and environmental hazards, all of which can lead to accidents, Yang said. Sudden
The Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association has cautioned Japanese travelers to be vigilant against pickpockets at several popular tourist spots in Taiwan, including Taipei’s night markets, the Yongkang Street area, Zhongshan MRT Station, and Jiufen (九份) in New Taipei City. The advisory, titled “Recent Development of Concerns,” was posted on the association’s Web site under its safety and emergency report section. It urges travelers to keep backpacks fully zipped and carried in front, with valuables placed at the bottom of the bag. Visitors are advised to be especially mindful of their belongings when taking photos or speaking on the phone, avoid storing wallets and
RSS