After refusing attend a court hearing on Wednesday, DPP Deputy Secretary-General Lee Chin-yung (
Lee told a press conference yesterday that his absence on Wednesday was to protest prosecutors allowing politics to interfere with judicial proceedings.
Lee also filed a complaint with the Control Yuan yesterday accusing Hualien's chief prosecutor, Yang Ta-chih (
PHOTO: CNA
"Yang had violated the principle of withholding investigation information before the lawsuit was established when he revealed information to the media about an alleged vote-buying practice by DPP supporters," Lee said.
"He also contacted reporters about a press conference to attack Minister of the Interior Yu Cheng-hsien (
A lawyer himself, Lee explained his reason for rejecting the interrogation request.
"I wanted to reveal how some prosecutors in Hualien had betrayed the principle of judicial impartiality in handling their cases. The prosecutors should have weighed properly the necessity to use the investigation authority instead of bringing charges against me in such a hasty manner," Lee said.
The Hualien Prosecutors' Office charged Lee because of a DPP campaign promise to give a monthly service allowance of NT$5,000 to Hualien Aboriginal chieftains if the party's candidate, You Ying-lung (游盈隆), was elected as county commissioner.
Lee said making campaign promises is a legal practice in any democratic society, which guarantees candidates can propose beneficial policies to their supporters.
Lee added that President Chen Shui-bian (
"How come these former candidates have never faced similar prosecution?" he asked.
Lee said the proposed service allowance increase for Aboriginal chieftains is a designated policy studied by the Executive Yuan's Council of Indigenous Peoples (
"Chieftains are esteemed in Aboriginal society. They also have a responsibility to help with the tribal public affairs. Their role is similar to that of a borough chief. If the allowance increase for borough chiefs in Han society can be established, why can this not be applied to Aboriginal society," Lee said.
Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr arrived in Taiwan last night to kick off his first visit to the country since beginning his second term earlier this year. After arriving at Taoyuan International Airport at around 6:30 pm, Whipps and his delegation were welcomed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). Speaking to gathered media, the Palauan leader said he was excited and honored to be back in Taiwan on his first state visit to Taiwan since he was sworn in this January. Among those traveling with Whipps is Minister of State Gustav N. Aitaro, Public Infrastructure
President William Lai (賴清德) yesterday thanked Palau for its continued support of Taiwan's international participation, as Taipei was once again excluded from the World Health Assembly (WHA) currently taking place in Switzerland. "Palau has never stopped voicing support for Taiwan" in the UN General Assembly, the WHO and other UN-affiliated agencies, Lai said during a bilateral meeting with visiting Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. "We have been profoundly touched by these endorsements," Lai said, praising the Pacific island nation's firm support as "courageous." Lai's remarks came as Taiwan was excluded for the ninth consecutive year from the WHA, which is being held in
RESOLUTIONS DEBATE: Taiwan’s allies said that UN and WHA resolutions cited by China and other nations ‘do not determine Taiwan’s participation in WHO activities’ A proposal to invite Taiwan to this year’s World Health Assembly (WHA) was rejected on Monday, resulting in Taipei’s absence from the annual meeting for a ninth consecutive year, although partners spoke up for Taiwan’s participation at the first day of the meeting. The first agenda item after the opening was a “two-on-two debate” on a proposal to invite Taiwan to participate at the WHA as an observer. Similar to previous years, two countries made statements in favor of the proposal, while two others expressed their opposition. Philippine Secretary of Health Teodoro Herbosa, president of the 78th WHA, accepted the WHA General Committee’s
At least three people died and more than a dozen were injured yesterday afternoon when a vehicle struck a group of pedestrians in New Taipei City’s Sansia District (三峽). The incident happened at about 4pm when a car rammed into pedestrians at an intersection near Bei Da Elementary School. Witnesses said the sedan, being driven at a high speed, ran a red light, knocking scooters out of the way and hitting students crossing the road before careening into a median near the intersection of Guocheng and Guoguang streets. The incident resulted in three deaths and 13 injuries, including the driver, a 78-year-old man
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