Thursday Apr 6, 2023

Governor: Central Gov’t Should Regulate Short-Term Rental Properties, but Not Limit Their Number

Sues Corporation Controlled by Clemente Heirs Over Ciudad

April 6, 2023

The San Juan Daily Star, the only paper with News Service in English in Puerto Rico, publishes 7 days a week, with a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday edition, along with a Weekend Edition to cover Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Governor opposes limiting number of short-term rental properties

Says central gov’t should regulate sector

By THE STAR STAFF

Gov. Pedro Pierluisi Urrutia said Wednesday that he opposes limiting the number of properties for short-term rental to deal with the affordable housing shortage and homelessness in Puerto Rico.

The governor said he does not favor limiting short-term rentals because it is private property, and the owners of those properties have the right to generate additional income. He revealed that his administration plans to build more than 10,000 housing units to address the crisis. Pierluisi urged the Legislature to rethink its position on an administration bill that seeks to raise price limits on affordable housing.

He said he supports the regulation of short-term rentals, by the central government.

“There, what must be done is regulate the matter at the state level so as not to have 78 different regulations applying to short-term rentals,” Pierluisi said.

Carlos Rivera Justiniano, the governor’s assistant secretary for legislation and regulation, is discussing with Popular Democratic Party Rep. José Rivera Madera amendments proposed by La Fortaleza to legislation regulating short-term rentals.

In short, the governor said, there should be a state-level registry managed by the Tourism Company to ensure that the properties pay the corresponding room tax, municipal taxes and property taxes.

In addition, they must comply with municipal public order codes and regulations regarding waste and noise management.

The bill would limit the number of properties dedicated to short-term rentals in a residential area, but Pierluisi said he opposes restricting the use of private property.

“The vast majority of the properties rented in Puerto Rico, easily 90%, are owned by people from Puerto Rico who have every right to rent their properties and have an additional income,” the governor said.

While short-term rentals are a popular investment in Puerto Rico, the STAR reported that a few short-term rental firms are controlling the sector, including one firm that belongs to the governor’s son.

Pierluisi acknowledged that one of his sons manages some 200 Airbnb properties, but said it is a minuscule sample within a total of 18,000 properties islandwide.

The surge in short-term rentals has resulted in increasing rental and property prices displacing the middle class and the poor.

Currently, San Juan is the municipality with the most short-term rentals at 3,800, according to data obtained by Norberto Quiñones Vilches, a data analyst working in the mainland U.S. Most of those properties are in coastal areas or tourism areas such as Old San Juan. Carolina has 1,842 short-term rentals, most of which are in Isla Verde. Naguabo, another coastal town, has 74 properties, but Quiñones Vilches said it is growing. Humacao, meanwhile, has 400 units, Fajardo 700 units, Luquillo 800 and Río Grande 1,000.

Airbnb, a platform for short-term rentals, has said short-term accommodations have contributed to the island’s economic development. Airbnb said that according to a study by Oxford Economics, spending by visitors who travel through the platform, including accommodation and expenses in various sectors such as restaurants, transportation, and entertainment, among others, will exceed $8 billion in 2025.

“What must be done is regulate the matter at the state level so as not to have 78 different regulations applying to short-term rentals,” Gov. Pedro Pierluisi said.

Gov’t sues Clemente heirs’ corporation over stalled Ciudad Deportiva land transfer

By THE STAR STAFF

To achieve compliance with Act 67-2022, which reverts to the commonwealth the ownership of the land in Carolina donated to the Ciudad Deportiva Roberto Clemente, the island government, through the Department of Justice, on Wednesday sued the corporation that received hundreds of acres of public lands 48 years ago under the condition that they develop sports facilities.

The heirs of famed baseball star Roberto Clemente control the corporation.

The government argues that Ciudad Deportiva is hindering the process established by law to complete the transfer of the land, as well as the buildings, properties and administration of the entity to the Department of Recreation and Sports (DRD), causing, in turn, the state to fail to comply with the provisions of the statute and thereby delaying the development of the Roberto Clemente Sports District.

“Despite all the efforts made to comply with the provisions of Law 672022, Ciudad Deportiva has hindered

and impeded the work of public servants so that the land is registered under the provisions of the statute so that, finally,

the Government can achieve its public policy of full development of sports through the Roberto Clemente Sports District,” reads the lawsuit filed Wednesday in San Juan Superior Court, in which the Lands Authority (AT) and the DRD are listed as plaintiffs.

According to the legal appeal, Ciudad Deportiva has prevented the central government from inspecting and measuring the land to grant the public deed required to re-register the reverted land in the Property Registry in the name of the commonwealth. Furthermore, the brief directly states that Luis R. Clemente, president of the defendant corporation, informed the Lands Authority that he would not allow access to the property since he disagrees with the provisions of Law No. 67-2022.

“At present, it has not even been possible to begin the preparatory work aimed at complying with Law No. 672022, due to the acts and inactions of Ciudad Deportiva and Mr. Luis R. Clemente,” the lawsuit says.

FEMA partners with national lab & local universities on steps toward a sustainable power grid

By THE STAR STAFF

As part of the island’s rebuilding efforts, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is working in partnership with a national laboratory and two local universities to support the design of resilient energy systems for

Puerto Rico.

Through the alliance, the Mayagüez Campus of the University of Puerto Rico (RUM) and the Gurabo Campus of Ana G. Méndez University are working hand in hand with Sandia National Laboratories to bring together the laboratory’s tools with the technical expertise and local knowledge of university professors and students.

This U.S. Department of Energy-endorsed laboratory in Livermore, California supports the federal government’s efforts to modernize the energy grid and encourages the use of renewable energy for critical infrastructure.

“We are proud that the research of Puerto Rican students and faculty are contributing to the development of cutting-edge technologies for resilient energy systems,” Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator José G. Baquero said. “Once again, local talent is at the center of recovery in their communities.”

There are many outcomes from the research that emerge through these collaborations, such as workforce development, community engagement, and the refinement of tools and data. On the RUM campus, for example, the team led by Erick Aponte Bezares, a professor in the Department of Electrical

and Computer Engineering, evaluated the feasibility of microgrids to support rural energy systems.

From January 2021 through June 2022, faculty and student researchers from the department collaborated with Sandia Labs on tools aimed at identifying the infrastructure needed to increase resilience in communities, and determining the microgrid options the community has for energizing that infrastructure.

As part of the collaboration, the RUM worked with Caño Martín Peña in San Juan and the Corcovada community in Añasco. In both places, they discussed the studies developed with Sandia and then presented the options that exist for the design of microgrids, mainly with renewable energy.

From the research aspect, RUM undergraduate students use these tools for their design projects; and graduate students use them for their master’s theses.

Aponte Bezares said the research has been very productive as it provides a better understanding of what the needs of specific sectors are.

“This experience adds to the students’ education because they are dealing with problems that are unique to the communities,” he said. “The tools also provide technical assessments that they share with community leaders.”

Luis R. Clemente, president of Ciudad Deportiva Roberto Clemente

Oversight board certifies Fiscal Plan for PR, with an emphasis on ‘Transformation’

By THE STAR STAFF

As Puerto Rico makes its way out of bankruptcy, the Financial Oversight and Management Board on Wednesday announced that its members certified the new Fiscal Plan for Puerto Rico, the blueprint for the fiscal operations of the government that will focus on economic growth and civil service reform.

“The restructuring of Puerto Rico’s massive debt is largely behind us, and our sole focus now is on cementing fiscal responsibility and working with the Government in creating a solid foundation for economic growth,” said the oversight board’s executive director, Robert F. Mujica. “Sustainable economic growth relies on responsible fiscal management and reforms that transform Puerto Rico’s education system, tax system, and its infrastructure. The new Fiscal Plan is a Transformation Plan that defines those reforms critical for Puerto Rico’s future and for the life of every resident.”

The “Transformation Plan” has three pillars: Strong financial management, with the implementation of a comprehensive financial management agenda; a culture of public-sector performance and excellence through the continued implementation of and investment in civil service reform; and investing for economic growth to ensure sufficient revenues to support the delivery of services the people need and deserve.

The Transformation Plan envisions partnering with the local and US government on their recently announced education reform agenda to find a new path for deploying the substantial financial resources in Puerto Rico effectively. The oversight board will be engaging with the government, leaders of Puerto Rico’s schools, educators, and nongovernmental organizations to draft an “Education Development Blueprint,” which will prioritize future fiscal plan investments to improve education outcomes. When adopted, the blueprint should achieve immediate and

concrete results, Mujica said.

jThe oversight board executive director noted that over the past several years, the government has improved Puerto Rico’s tax system by implementing information reporting requirements and digitizing core tax processes. While much progress has been made, he said, significant reform is still required because Puerto Rico’s current tax system has historically suffered from complexity, instability and inconsistency.

The Transformation Plan calls for a comprehensive review of Puerto Rico’s revenue structure as part of a tax reform to improve Puerto Rico’s income tax structure for individuals and corporations. The government must continue its efforts to reduce the tax system’s complexity, enhance equity, increase transparency, reduce tax administrative and compliance cost, and maintain, if not enhance, revenues, Mujica said.

Any potential reform must be fiscally balanced, which is why the oversight board continues to require that all legislative proposals, including a tax reform, be revenue neutral over the long term, he said.

Given heightened levels of competition in the global marketplace, Puerto Rico needs to further improve its business friendliness to support economic growth, the official said, noting that there has been some progress in improving important elements of the business climate, including reducing the time required to register a property and making Puerto Rico more attractive for investments. Significantly more work needs to be done to improve the ease of doing business, including streamlining the regulatory environment and making the permitting process more efficient, and reducing occupational licensing, Mujica said.

Noting that Puerto Rico’s economy has continued its recovery, the official said the island’s low labor force participation has improved, though it remains below other U.S. states. Unemployment is at historically low levels, he added.

“Puerto Rico has made significant progress in the transformation of its energy system and the Government has successfully advanced the Public Private Partnerships that have helped move Puerto Rico forward,” Mujica said. “The power sector and business reforms defined in the Fiscal Plan are projected to increase Puerto Rico’s gross national product (GNP) by 0.60% by fiscal year 2026.”

The unprecedented influx of one-time federal funds has further strengthened Puerto Rico’s economy, but those funds mask underlying persisting weaknesses in long-term economic growth, Mujica pointed out. Puerto Rico’s underlying real GNP, excluding federal disaster and stimulus funds, has not yet returned to fiscal year 2016 levels, he said. The Fiscal Plan projects a 0.7% decline in real GNP for the current fiscal year 2023, followed by a period of near-zero real growth in the coming fiscal years 2024 to 2026. Puerto Rico’s population is estimated to continue the long-term trend of steady decline, he noted.

“However, with the right choices by the

Security plan in place for Holy Week in Cataño

By THE STAR STAFF

During the Christian commemoration of Holy Week, which culminates on Easter Sunday, the Municipality of Cataño has already activated a comprehensive security plan that covers all of the metro area town’s sectors.

“We are paying special attention to the urban area and the maritime front, where the famous local eating places and the fishing village

are located, which attract so many tourists and visitors,” Cataño Mayor Julio Alicea Vasallo said, noting that the fishing village (Villa Pesquera) is open daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The efforts are being coordinated under the supervision of Cataño Municipal Police Commissioner Lt. Eliezer Vargas de Jesús and the commissioner of the Municipal Office of Emergency Management and Disaster Administration (OMMEAD by its Spanish initials) and

Medical Emergency Department, Lt. Omar Mercado Vázquez.

As detailed, the municipal police will have special shifts operating through Sunday to reinforce security both in the urban area of the municipality, on the bayfront, and in all communities. Also, preventive patrols will be increased in the areas most visited by tourists and residents. In addition, OMMEAD and Medical Emergencies will have a command center on the

Government, these non-recurring federal funds can be leveraged into sustainable longer-term growth and opportunity,” Mujica said.

The Fiscal Plan projects strong government revenue collections for the current fiscal year 2023 and the coming fiscal year 2024 driven by the aforementioned unprecedented stimulus funds. However, government revenue is projected to return closer to its historic trend from fiscal year 2025 onwards, in line with the projections of most U.S. mainland states, the official noted.

“The U.S. Government has allocated an unprecedented amount of recovery and stimulus funds that are estimated at over $120 billion for Puerto Rico,” Mujica said. “Puerto Rico needs and deserves this support as a matter of fairness and equity. However, this support comes with expectations – expectations of responsibility, progress, excellence, and performance. The Oversight Board will continue to work with the Government to meet those expectations. Continued improvement of the financial management institutions is of paramount importance.”

For Puerto Rico to succeed and the economy to improve long-term, every fiscal decision, every reform, and every initiative must be focused on creating jobs, opportunity, and on supporting economic development, the oversight board director said, emphasizing the need for “a singular focus on growth.”

“The current economic recovery may slow if underlying challenges of Puerto Rico’s economy take hold, which is why the steps taken now are critical to prevent Puerto Rico from falling back into crisis and instead create a real foundation for sustainable growth,” Mujica said. “We will work with the government to strengthen the overall economy, to improve the education system, tax reform, ease of doing business, the transformation of Puerto Rico’s infrastructure, and the continued effort to reform the way government operates, which are essential elements for the prosperity of the people of Puerto Rico.”

Edwin Rivera Sierra Maritime Front for a rapid response should an emergency arise.

“The peace and enjoyment of our people are a constant priority, so we will ensure that everyone has a positive and unforgettable experience when visiting our beautiful coastal town,” the mayor said. “Our city’s safety resources and personnel are fully activated, working closely with state police, highway patrols, the fire department, the Coast Guard, medical emergencies and federal agencies. The residential areas of the urban area and Barrio Palmas will also be protected.”

Financial Oversight and Management Board Executive Director Robert F. Mujica

Governor declares April ‘Early Childhood Month’

By THE STAR STAFF

Gov. Pedro Pierluisi Urrutia on Wednesday signed a proclamation that designates April of this year as Early Childhood Month.

“In this month of childhood and the prevention of abuse, my administration reiterates its commitment to protect our most important citizens, minors, because in them we place hope for the future of Puerto Rico,” Pierlusi said. “Taking care of them, defending them and guaranteeing them a healthy life is the greatest responsibility we have as a government and as a people. I have been consistent that we all have to be part of Puerto Rico having a culture of respect for human dignity.”

The governor said that throughout April the Administration for the Comprehensive Care and Development of Children (ACUDEN by its Spanish initials) will carry out abuse prevention campaigns, service fairs, events in care centers, orientation activities and informational workshops on all issues that impact abuse prevention and early childhood development.

Throughout this month the government will hold abuse prevention campaigns, service fairs, events in care centers, orientation activities and informational workshops on all issues that impact abuse prevention and early childhood development.

“As a government, we want to highlight the importance of every citizen coming together to support our children,” said Pierluisi, who was accompanied by Family Secretary

Ciení Rodríguez Troche and ACUDEN Administrator Roberto Carlos Pagán Santiago. “Protecting them is up to all of us. It is not enough to speak out against abuse. We also have to raise our voices, take a step forward and be their defenders and spokespersons to prevent and stop child abuse.”

Rodríguez Troche added that “we are raising the importance of full growth, development and care for our children.”

“Today we recognize them for a month, but promoting harmony by accepting, respecting and understanding the diversity of childhood is a day-to-day exercise,” she said. “We all want our children to be happy, so it’s the responsibility of adults to make it so. That will be the Puerto Rico of tomorrow.”

Children from several care centers of the Head Start, Early Head Start and Child Care of the Future programs participated in the activity while accompanied by teachers and relatives. Those present enjoyed a performance by the children’s group Atención Atención in the garden of La Fortaleza and interacted with mimes and superhero characters from the Mental Health and Anti-Addiction Services Administration.

Island’s drinking water infrastructure to receive $62.3 million federal

By THE STAR STAFF

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Wednesday announced a $62,283,000 investment in essential drinking water infrastructure upgrades across Puerto Rico through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. Thanks to a $6 billion boost from the Biden-Harris administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the EPA is increasing the investments available to rebuild the nation’s water infrastructure.

“Every community deserves access to safe, clean drinking water,” EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan said. “Thanks to President Biden’s historic infrastructure investments in

America, we have an unprecedented opportunity to revitalize America’s drinking water systems, support the Biden-Harris administration’s goal of removing 100% of lead pipes across our country, and protect communities from PFAS [perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances] pollution.”

“EPA is putting the funding where the priorities are by working with our state partners to deliver clean water to communities, protect public health, and advance environmental justice across Puerto Rico and the nation,” EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. García said. “This funding is part of the once-in-a-lifetime investments we are making to transform infrastructure under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.”

investment

“As a government we will continue to rebuild our drinking water infrastructure to make it a stronger and more resilient one,” Gov. Pedro Pierluisi Urrutia said. “The support that Puerto Rico is receiving from the federal government through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund is fundamental to our most disadvantaged communities and will result in a better quality of life for all.”

Resident Commissioner Jenniffer González Colón pointed out that “[i]n the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, we saw the need to strengthen such infrastructure to prevent water service interruptions and ensure our communities have access to drinking water at all times.”

Local gun owners group urges PR to follow Florida’s lead on loosening of firearms law

By THE STAR STAFF

Puerto Rico Gun License Holder Defense Corp. (CODEPOLA by its Spanish acronym) President Ariel Torres Meléndez said Wednesday that he fully supports Florida’s recently enacted Law 543, which eliminates concealed gun permits and will allow gun owners to carry firearms in the state without the currently required license and training and urged Puerto Rico to follow Florida’s lead.

Torres Meléndez said the thousands of Puerto Rican citizens who have a gun license from the state of Florida should be attentive to how the process will go, adding that Puerto Ricans who will travel in the coming days could take their guns and should be attentive because House Bill 543, approved by the Florida Senate on March 30, will not enter into force until July 1.

Torres Meléndez said the law enacted by Gov. Ron DeSantis, which made Florida the 26th state in the nation to approve similar legislation, favors Puerto Rico because “first, this decision that all politicians are aware of today, opens their eyes to look at the status of us Puerto Ricans in the future.”

He added that “I have always questioned why there is a gun registry. Well, look, there is the answer. It has just been given by the governor of Florida.”

“A lot of states are going to rethink how much registration costs me, Department of Agriculture staff in Florida, everything had to be considered and they made a decision: delete it,” Torres Meléndez said.

The gun owners’ rights advocate emphasized that it is a correct and forward-looking law that “opens the way for us who believe in the Second Amendment that there can be changes, and I will fight for that.”

Ariel Torres Meléndez

Biden has the Oval Office. But Trump has center stage.

By PETER BAKER and MICHAEL D. SHEAR

The president of the United States spent four minutes on Tuesday talking to the American public about the possibilities and dangers of artificial intelligence. No, not that president. The one who actually occupies the Oval Office.

Americans could be forgiven if they momentarily forgot the most powerful person in the country. As helicopters and cameras followed every step of the Donald Trump legal drama in New York more than 200 miles to the north with white Ford Bronco-level intensity, President Joe Biden faded into the background, ceding the stage to his defendant-predecessor.

He seemed content to do so, at least for now. The White House made no effort to compete for attention with the arrest of a former president. Biden’s only appearance came during a meeting with his science advisers. Reporters were escorted in at 2:59 p.m., a hoarse Biden, fighting a cold, said a few words and the reporters were ushered out again at 3:03 p.m. Ten minutes later, the White House announced Biden was finished with public events for the day.

The tale of two presidents on this spring afternoon, one quietly focused on technology policy, the other having his fingerprints taken, underscored the unique challenge that has confronted Biden since taking office more than two years ago. No commander in chief in more than a century has been eclipsed in the public eye by the leader he succeeded the way Biden has at times. Now with the first criminal prosecution of a former president in American history, it will be that much harder to command the national conversation.

Yet it is a contrast that Biden’s team hopes will eventually benefit him. To the extent that the remainder of Biden’s term is a split screen between the 45th and 46th presidents, White House officials are willing to live with less airtime if it means their president is seen focusing on manufacturing, health care and climate change while the other one is seen focusing on pretrial motions, hostile witnesses and records of hush money paid to a porn star.

“2023 is going to be about Trump — his legal troubles are going to be a defining story,” said Jennifer Palmieri, who was White House communications director for President Barack Obama and a senior campaign adviser to Hillary

Clinton. “What does the White House do about that? On some level, that’s fine. These stories will peak, and then they’ll go away. What Biden has to be is the anti-chaos president.”

The wild gyrations of the Trump show, in this view, only reinforce the reasons voters turned to Biden in the first place — the appeal of a steady hand against the storm.

“All of this could contribute to lack of faith in institutions, a sense of chaos, disorder, and so the Biden team has to work extra hard at showing that government can work,” Palmieri said.

Still, anti-chaos may be appealing to voters exhausted by Trumpian turmoil, but it has not historically been a big ratings draw. “I assume Biden’s team will say the split-screen contrast works in their favor,” said Kevin Madden, a longtime Republican strategist. “The problem, though, is with Trump there could be days or weeks like this one where they never get their half of the screen.”

No other president would want the kind of publicity that Trump is getting now, of course, but the fixation on the former president will extend beyond even this historic prosecution. Fani T. Willis, the Fulton County district attorney in Georgia, may decide soon whether to charge Trump in trying to interfere in the 2020 election, while Jack Smith, a federal special counsel, could seek indictments tied to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol and the former president’s refusal to turn over classified documents.

As if those were not enough to keep the spotlight focused squarely on Mar-a-Lago rather than the White House, Trump is already scheduled to go on trial on April 25 in a lawsuit brought by E. Jean Carroll, a writer who has accused him of raping her. And a civil trial on allegations of financial fraud brought by Letitia James, the New York attorney general, is scheduled to follow on Oct. 2.

Against all that, a meeting of the President’s Council of Advisers on Science and Technology may not seem as compelling to cable television producers or for that matter their audiences. When Biden flew to Minnesota on Monday to promote a factory making hydrogen electrolyzers, the news channels showed Trump’s private plane, the so-called “Trump Force One,” taking off for New York.

“I’m flipping stations and shaking my head,” Michael Steele, a former Republican National Committee chairman who broke with

Trump, wrote on Twitter. “It’s no wonder we can’t recover from this Trump infection because the media continues to feed Trump’s thirst to be everything everywhere all at once! On the plane, off the plane, in the car. Y’all know the actual @POTUS travelled today?”

The White House was left to make the best of the situation. Jeffrey Zients, the new chief of staff, posted an image of the front page of The Star Tribune of Minneapolis featuring the headline “Biden touts investment in Minn.”

Ben LaBolt, White House communications director, expressed no concern about the ability to connect with the public. “We think being responsive to the concerns of hardworking Americans resonates and is what they expect of a president,” he said.

The closest parallel to Biden’s situation may be that of William Howard Taft, who could hardly compete for attention with his largerthan-life predecessor, Theodore Roosevelt, who ultimately mounted an unsuccessful comeback campaign against his onetime ally in 1912. That, of course, was long before the era of social media and cable television.

Biden left it to his press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, to deflect the obvious questions about Trump. During her daily briefing, she talked about Finland’s ascension into NATO,

Russia’s arrest of an American journalist and the president’s meeting with tech advisers. But the first arrest of a former president and “anything that is touching or relating to the case,” she declared, was off limits.

t that reporters in the White House briefing room neglected to press her. They asked about security concerns in New York and the rule of law. They inquired whether the president watched the televised proceedings and if he would consider pardoning Trump, even though a president’s pardon power does not extend to state cases like the one in New York.

When one reporter noted that there is “great shock in Japan about the arrest of the opposition candidate,” Jean-Pierre appeared confused for a moment, until she realized that it was just one more effort to get her to discuss Trump.

“I love how you guys are asking me this in different ways,” she said. She then repeated what she had said again and again: “I’m just not going to comment from here” before calling an end to the day’s briefing.

By the evening, her briefing got 12,000 views on the White House’s YouTube channel and the president’s brief science remarks 2,100. Within hours, Trump made a prime-time statement on his arrest that millions were expected to watch.

A television broadcasting news about the arrest of former President Donald Trump at the briefing room of the White House in Washington, on April 4, 2023. In the White House briefing room, Karine Jean-Pierre, the press secretary, deflected the obvious questions about Trump.

Private or political? Charges over hush money hinge on payment’s purpose

By MICHAEL ROTHFELD

Is paying hush money a crime?

In most cases, the answer is no. Hush money agreements, also known as nondisclosure agreements, have long been used by companies and private individuals to avoid litigation and keep embarrassing information confidential. Harvey Weinstein, the former producer convicted of rape, used such agreements for years to conceal his harassment and assault of women.

But the question is thornier when it comes to candidates in the midst of political campaigns, and it has not often been posed in federal or New York state courts.

As it relates to former President Donald Trump and porn star Stormy Daniels, the Manhattan district attorney, Alvin Bragg, revealed his answer Tuesday when he unsealed an indictment of Trump: A hush money payment can constitute a crime if made to protect a political candidate.

All of the felony counts Trump is facing stem from reimbursements to his former fixer, Michael Cohen, for paying $130,000 to Daniels in exchange for her silence about the liaison she

said she had with Trump.

Having charged Trump with falsifying business records, Bragg’s office will have to navigate complicated legal terrain. A conviction would hinge on proving that reimbursements to Cohen were falsely disguised as legal fees to conceal another crime: perhaps a violation of election laws. The indictment did not, however, charge Trump with an election law violation; Cohen has admitted to committing one with the payment to Daniels.

The case bears some similarities to the prosecution of a former U.S. senator, John Edwards of North Carolina, who was charged in 2011 with federal campaign finance violations for payments to help a mistress during his own presidential run in 2008. The case ended without a conviction.

Federal and state campaign laws require reporting of campaign-related payments, and if they are made by third parties coordinating with the candidate, such as Cohen, they are subject to certain limits. Cohen’s payment to Daniels before the 2016 presidential election was well beyond the federal legal limit.

The indictment of Trump charged him with 34 counts of falsifying business records in reimbursing Cohen for the hush money. Trump, who is once more seeking the Republican nomination for president, has denied sleeping with Daniels; called the prosecution by Bragg, a Democrat, political; and said he has done nothing wrong. Appearing in a state Supreme Court Tuesday, he

pleaded not guilty.

On its own, falsifying business records is a misdemeanor in New York state — but it can be charged as a felony if it is intended to conceal another crime. In this case, the indictment accuses him of falsifying business records; an accompanying statement of facts says Trump orchestrated a scheme to violate election laws.

Proving that element will most likely hinge on whether the hush money is interpreted to have been paid in the service of Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign or for personal reasons, such as shielding his wife, Melania, and youngest son, Barron, from Daniels’ story.

That is the sort of transaction that Trump’s lawyers say took place.

“This was a personal expenditure, not a campaign expenditure. Had it been a campaign expenditure, he would have used campaign funds,” one of the lawyers, Joe Tacopina, said on CNN Sunday.

Trump’s team has pointed to the failed prosecution of Edwards to bolster its argument that the payment to Daniels was not a campaign contribution.

Bragg’s office might be able to make a stronger case in arguing that the payment to Daniels was made to influence the election on Trump’s behalf rather than for personal reasons.

For one thing, Daniels had tried to sell her story of sleeping with Trump for at least five years, but he had never before agreed to pay for her silence. Cohen did so weeks before the election, and days after the so-called “Access Hollywood” tape — in which Trump was heard talking about groping women — was made public, potentially tanking Trump’s campaign.

For another, Trump met with Cohen and David Pecker, the publisher of The National Enquirer, at the beginning of his campaign in August 2015 to discuss a strategy for bottling up negative stories. And Pecker’s company paid to suppress the story of another woman, the Playboy model Karen McDougal, less than three months before Daniels received her payment.

Both Pecker and Cohen have testified before the grand jury that indicted Trump, and would be expected to do so at a trial.

Jeff Tsai, a San Francisco lawyer and former federal prosecutor who worked on the Edwards case, said in an interview that because of the “elasticity” of whether money is primarily spent to help a campaign or for personal reasons, the facts in a particular case are extremely important. “Jurors will have to decide as to whether or not these funds, putting some of the salacious details aside, are fundamentally being used for campaign purposes,” Tsai said.

Federal prosecutors accused former Senator John Edwards of North Carolina of using payments to a mistress to benefit his 2008 presidential run, but they did not secure a conviction.

County commissioner and union organizer is elected mayor of Chicago

By MITCH SMITH

Brandon Johnson, a county commissioner and union organizer who called for a vast expansion of social programs in Chicago, as well as new taxes, was elected mayor of the country’s third-largest city on Tuesday, according to The Associated Press.

Johnson’s victory over Paul Vallas, a fellow Democrat with far more conservative views on crime and education, showed voters rejecting the tough-on-crime politics that have become a staple of municipal elections in recent years and instead embracing a decidedly progressive vision for a city still struggling to emerge from a pandemic malaise.

The mayor-elect, who will take office in May, will inherit a city in flux, with a downtown that is emptier than before the coronavirus pandemic, a Police Department that has no permanent leader and a public school system that has seen a decline in enrollment. Fewer commuters have been riding buses and L trains, and census estimates have shown a decline in population.

But this election was defined by a pandemic-era rise in crime that left Chicagoans frightened, angry and ready to chart a new course, even as they disagreed about what that should look like. In a first round of balloting in February, voters rejected the policies of Lori Lightfoot, the current mayor who survived just a single term in office before receiving just 17% of the vote and failing to qualify for the runoff.

“There’s gunshots all over,” said Jose Hinojosa, 46, a sales professional from the Northwest Side who voted for Vallas because “crime is just ridiculous.”

The election in Chicago is the latest race in a large, liberal American city where crime has been a primary issue. In New York City, Eric Adams, a Democrat and former police captain, defeated progressive candidates in his party’s 2021 mayoral primary by calling for a crackdown on crime. And in Los Angeles last year, Karen Bass, a liberal congresswoman, was elected mayor in a race in which her more conservative opponent, Rick Caruso, a billionaire real estate developer, ran on a law-and-order message.

Johnson, 47, qualified for the runoff by defeating several better-established candidates competing for the same liberal voters. A former teacher, Johnson has spent the past 12 years working for the Chicago Teachers Union, a powerful but polarizing political

force whose members have engaged in three work stoppages during his tenure. Johnson promoted a plan for improving the city by investing in social programs, mental health treatment and neighborhood public schools. He also tried to distance himself from past support for defunding law enforcement even as he put forth a vision for public safety that went far beyond policing.

Vallas, 69, emerged as the consensus choice for conservative Chicagoans. He called for a harsher approach to minor crimes, more police officers and an expansion of charter schools. But in a heavily Democratic city, Vallas faced criticism for past comments that he considered himself to be more of a Republican than a Democrat, and for an endorsement from the local chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police, whose leaders frequently use brash rhetoric and support Republican politicians.

Race has often played a role in elections in Chicago, which has long been segregated but has roughly equal numbers of white, Black and Hispanic residents.

Vallas, who is white, made it to the runoff with strong support in the city’s downtown and in majority-white areas of the Northwest and Southwest sides, where many municipal workers live. Johnson, who is Black, had performed well along the city’s

northern lakefront, home to many white progressives, and in predominantly Hispanic areas northwest of downtown.

Lyric Newbern, 23, a college student who lives on the South Side and is Black, said she chose Johnson because he “is from the inner city of Chicago and has been involved in the fight against racism and white supremacy.”

“It’s as simple as having the desire to have someone who represents me,” she said.

With polls suggesting a tight race, both candidates touted endorsements from Black and Hispanic politicians as they sought to win over voters who supported Lightfoot or Rep. Jesús G. García, another mayoral candidate, in the first round of balloting.

This runoff was Chicago’s second in a row with no incumbent mayor on the ballot, a major shift for a city where Richard J. Daley and Richard M. Daley each served as mayor for more than 20 years and where elections were often not competitive.

Four years ago, after Mayor Rahm Emanuel decided not to seek a third term, Lightfoot emerged from a large field of candidates to win a blowout victory, carrying all 50 wards in the runoff. She became the first Black woman and the first openly gay person to lead the city.

But her tenure was bumpy from the start.

Soon after she took office, the teachers’ union went on strike. And after less than a year in office, COVID-19 upended every aspect of daily life. As the virus spread, homicides rose to generational highs and Chicago endured multiple rounds of civil unrest. Early last year, the teachers engaged in another work stoppage, that time amid a disagreement over COVID-19 protocols.

On the campaign trail this year, Lightfoot emphasized investments in longneglected parts of the South and West Sides and noted that homicide rates, though still higher than before the pandemic, had started to decline.

But voters chose to move on, elevating one candidate running to her political left, Johnson, and another on her right, Vallas.

Johnson, who lives on Chicago’s West Side, was unknown to many voters at the start of the election cycle but ascended to the top tier of candidates through his gift for retail campaigning and significant financial support from teachers’ unions. Johnson, who earlier in his career taught social studies to middle school and high school students, put forth a progressive vision for a city that he said had consistently failed to invest in its poorest residents. He was recently elected to a second term on the Cook County Board of Commissioners.

Vallas, who grew up on the South Side, has been a familiar figure in Chicago since the 1990s, when he worked in a finance role in City Hall and served as chief executive of Chicago Public Schools when the district was facing an educational and fiscal crisis. In the years that followed, he led other struggling school districts in Philadelphia, New Orleans and Bridgeport, Connecticut, and ran unsuccessfully for office three times in Illinois.

Brandon Johnson celebrates with supporters in Chicago after winning the mayoral election on Tuesday, April 4, 2023. In a largely liberal city, Chicago voters chose Johnson, a county commissioner and union organizer, over Paul Vallas, who took a hard line on crime.

Johnson & Johnson reaches $8.9 billion talc settlement

subsidiary, LTL Management, and the settlement itself; the company also needs to persuade enough claimants to support the settlement plan. Johnson & Johnson created LTL in 2021 in a maneuver to shield itself from the talc litigation, but an earlier bankruptcy filing by the unit was challenged by the plaintiffs and dismissed this year by a U.S. appeals court, which ruled that a bankruptcy wasn’t the right way to resolve the matter.

If approved, the settlement would end a long-running legal drama that has weighed on Johnson & Johnson’s image. Its baby powder, although not a top seller, is one of the company’s most recognizable brands, and many of the plaintiffs claimed that the talc used in the product was contaminated with asbestos, a known carcinogen.

mants to be compensated in a timely manner and enables the company to remain focused on our commitment to profoundly and positively impact health for humanity,” Haas said.

Johnson & Johnson executives knew for decades about the risk of asbestos exposure linked to its talc products, including the famous baby powder it began selling 129 years ago. After years of pushing back on researchers and scientists, the company began facing a flood of lawsuits in recent years, along with government investigations and lawmaker inquiries.

By TIFFANY HSU

Johnson & Johnson said earlier this week that it had agreed to pay $8.9 billion to tens of thousands of people who claimed the company’s talcum powder products caused cancer, a proposal that lawyers for the plaintiffs called a “significant victory” in a legal fight that has lasted more than a decade.

The proposed settlement would be paid out over 25 years through a subsidiary, which filed for bankruptcy to enable the $8.9 billion trust, Johnson & Johnson said in a court filing. If a bankruptcy court

approves it, the agreement will resolve all current and future claims involving Johnson & Johnson products that contain talc, such as baby powder, the company said.

In a statement, a group of lawyers who represent nearly 70,000 plaintiffs, including families of people who died of ovarian cancer and mesothelioma, described the deal as a “landmark” and a “significant victory for the tens of thousands of women suffering from gynecological cancers caused by J&J’s talc-based products.”

For the deal to become final, the court would first have to accept a new bankruptcy filing by the Johnson & Johnson

Some lawyers involved in the cases opposed the settlement, although they acknowledged that approval by the court would apply to all plaintiffs.

Jason Itkin, whose law firm is handling 10,000 cases involving women claiming that talc-based powders made by Johnson & Johnson caused their ovarian cancer, said the settlement was “bad for victims” and would be blocked in court. Even if the company succeeds with its filing, Itkin said, it will have to persuade enough claimants to vote in favor of the settlement plan.

“Even though $8.9 billion sounds like a lot of money, when you spread it out it comes out to not very much at all for the people who suffered,” he said.

LTL’s first bankruptcy filing had set aside $2 billion for payouts to plaintiffs. With the new filing, Johnson & Johnson said it would set aside an additional $6.9 billion to cover the payouts.

The company said the settlement plan was not an admission of wrongdoing.

Erik Haas, the company’s worldwide vice president of litigation, said in a statement on Tuesday that the plaintiffs’ claims “are specious and lack scientific merit” but would have taken decades and been extremely costly to resolve.

“Resolving this matter through the proposed reorganization plan is both more equitable and more efficient, allows clai-

The cases resulted in a mixed bag of verdicts and mistrials. Johnson & Johnson said it had prevailed in the vast majority of jury trials related to cosmetic talc; it also faced spectacular losses in which it was ordered to pay billions of dollars to a small number of plaintiffs.

In 2020, the company said it would discontinue sales of its talc-based baby powder in the United States. It plans to stop selling the product globally this year, offering a cornstarch version instead.

It also plans to break off its consumer health business, which includes brands such as baby powder, Neutrogena and Tylenol, into a stand-alone company, Kenvue. (Johnson & Johnson’s pharmaceutical and medical divisions will stay put.)

Johnson & Johnson created LTL as part of a corporate pirouette that involves splintering off liability in a new unit and using the bankruptcy system as a shield against legal exposure. The plaintiffs had fiercely opposed that effort, known as “the Texas Two-Step” because of its origins in the state’s bankruptcy law, and prevailed in blocking it.

Tuesday’s settlement plan, however, will “provide expeditious, substantial and fair compensation to claimants who cannot afford to wait any longer for a resolution,” the plaintiffs’ lawyers said.

The new bankruptcy approval process will proceed in the coming weeks, lawyers said. In court filings on Tuesday, LTL said that “bankruptcy is the only forum” where it could permanently close the door on the talc litigation, and that it was “critical” that active talc cases be paused for the settlement to proceed.

The talc in Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder may have been contaminated with asbestos, plaintiffs claim.

TD World’s Most Shorted Banking Stock, Shares Down -ORTEX Data

Hedge fund bets against Canada’s TD Bank Group on Wednesday hit $4.2 billion, making it the most-shorted banking stock globally, according to data provider ORTEX’s calculations, with some analysts concerned about the bank’s exposure to U.S. regional lenders.

Around 4.1% of TD’s outstanding shares were out on loan to hedge funds, while the second-most shorted bank stock, JP Morgan, only had $2.3 billion worth of shorts, showed the data.

Hedge funds profit when they borrow a stock from an institutional investor and sell it back when the price falls, pocketing the difference, a practice known as short-selling.

Turmoil in the banking sector began last month with the collapse of regional banks Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank, sparking a crisis of confidence. The Biden administration on Thursday called for stricter rules to reduce future risk.

TD is the midst of acquiring U.S. regional lender First Horizon Corp for $13.4 billion, though some shareholders have urged the Canadian bank to either scrap the deal or renegotiate a lower price.

The First Horizon deal would catapult TD to the sixthbiggest commercial bank in the U.S. from the tenth-largest now, according to the Federal Reserve. The next-largest Canadian bank in the U.S. is BMO, which is number 23 on the list.

TD shares are down 15.7% since the beginning of the regional bank crisis and down 3.4% this week. Peer Bank of Montreal (BMO) is down 15.8% over the same time period and is down 2.2% this week. Around 2.9% of BMO’s outstanding shares were out on loan to hedge funds, or about $1.8 billion.

A spokesperson for TD was not immediately available for comment.

“The bank’s acquisition of First Horizon is also not looking great in the current context,” Eric Compton, equity analyst at Morningstar, told Reuters via email. “TD has the most exposure to the U.S. regional banking system,” Compton added.

He noted TD also has a material stake in Charles Schwab, which is down 40% year to date.

TD awaits regulatory approval of its takeover of First Horizon.

Western Alliance Bancorporation said on Wednesday its first-quarter deposits were 11% lower than at the end of 2022, as customers spooked by the sudden collapse of two U.S. mid-sized lenders pulled out funds.

The stock regained some lost ground and was last down 11% at $29.81 in midday trading. It fell as much as 19% in the session.

Western Alliance said total deposits were $47.6 billion as of March 31, down from $53.6 billion at the end of 2022.

Total insured deposits represented roughly 68% of its total deposits, significantly higher than the proportion at yearend.

MOST ASSERTIVE STOCKS

PUERTO RICO STOCKS COMMODITIES CURRENCY

“While earnings are under material near-term pressure, we think the stabilization of deposit pressures should allay investor concerns of severe deposit outflows,” analysts at Truist Securities said.

Regional banks have been trying to assure customers that their deposits are secure after recent bank runs following the failures of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank last month.

The collapses triggered the biggest banking crisis since

2008 and stoked heavy volatility in the sector, worsening existing jitters of an imminent recession.

Policymakers have sought to emphasize that the current crisis is different from the last one as lenders are now bettercapitalized, but Federal Reserve data showed that banks sought record amounts of emergency liquidity in mid-March.

Analysts at RBC Capital Markets wrote in a note that while Western Alliance has reported a large decrease in deposits it believes that “this is ultimately an acceptable and manageable outcome for the company.”

The banking sector is due to kick off first-quarter reporting season next week, with investors expected to closely watch the balance sheets for signs of further stress and liquidity crunch.

Zelenskyy visits Poland in hopes of shoring up support

By ANDREW HIGGINS

Trading his signature olive-green sweatshirt for a more formal black one, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine was welcomed in Warsaw on Wednesday by a military band at the start of his first official visit to neighboring Poland, one his country’s staunchest supporters in its struggle to repel Russia’s military invasion.

Although Zelenskyy has stopped off in Poland several times since Russia began its full-scale invasion in February 2022, his current trip is his first there to be enveloped in the pomp and formal pageantry of the Polish state. Arriving with his wife, Olena, he was greeted at the presidential palace by President Andrzej Duda, dressed in formal attire, and an honor guard with fixed bayonets.

“I would like to thank the Polish president, the government and all Poles for the road we have walked together,” Zelenskyy said. “We greatly appreciate your support. Never in history has there been such warm and close relations between Poland and Ukraine.”

In a ceremony at the presidential palace, Duda awarded the Ukrainian president with the Order of the White Eagle, Poland’s oldest and highest decoration. Praising Zelenskyy and the “heroism of Ukrainian soldiers,” the Polish leader said: “We have no doubts that your stance today largely saves Europe from the deluge of Russian imperialism.”

The visit comes at a sensitive time, with Ukraine gearing up for an expected spring offensive, the Polish government under pressure from farmers angry about a flood of Ukrainian products, and growing, though still minority, public support for a far-right political party that had been highly critical of Zelenskyy.

That party, Confederation, has toned down its previously strident anti-Ukrainian message, which often echoed Kremlin talking points, but it still channels political currents at odds with the view of Poland’s mainstream parties that Ukraine and its people, more than 1.5 million of whom are now sheltering in Poland, deserve robust and unwavering support.

Some farmers, complaining that Ukrainian grain and other products have driven down prices, threatened to hold protests during Zelenskyy’s visit to press demands that Poland curb imports of produce from Ukraine. Poland takes in millions of tons of Ukrainian grain each month for delivery to other European countries, but farmers say that much of this has stayed in Poland and threatens their livelihood.

Poland’s agriculture minister, facing intense criticism from farmers, resigned Wednesday shortly after Zelenskyy’s arrival in Warsaw.

Marcin Przydacz, the head of Duda’s international policy office, told journalists that he and Zelenskyy would discuss “how to maintain the support of the West and the European and Euro-Atlantic unity that we have been able to achieve since the beginning of the war.” That unity, he said, needed to be reinforced, “because Russian propaganda naturally tries to break up our cooperation.”

The Polish government has shown no sign of waver-

ing in its own support, rallying other European countries to step up their military aid, including modern Germanmade battle tanks and Soviet-designed warplanes. Poland recently delivered on a pledge to send MiG-29 fighters to Ukraine, the first country to supply such aircraft to Zelenskyy’s military.

Zelenskyy, eager to prevent any waning of public support in Poland, is expected to use an address to the Polish people later Wednesday to thank them for their help and repeat his oft-stated argument that Ukraine is fighting Russia not just for its own survival, but for the security of Europe as a whole.

Ukraine has been particularly grateful to Poland for the support given to refugees, whose arrival last year across their shared border met with an extraordinary outpouring of generosity. He will also meet with Ukrainians now living in Poland. About 10 million people have crossed into Poland from Ukraine over the past 13 months, although many moved on to other countries or returned to Ukraine.

Poland — which shares a 330-mile frontier with Ukraine and also borders the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad and Belarus, a close Russian ally — is not only a critical ally for Ukraine, but also the linchpin of NATO’s eastern flank.

Shortly before Zelenskyy’s arrival, the United States ambassador in Warsaw, Mark Brzezinski, joined the Polish defense minister, Mariusz Blaszczak, at the site of a huge new warehousing complex for U.S. tanks and other military hardware in Powidz, west of Warsaw. Brzezinski described it as “the largest single infrastructure project funded by NATO in 30 years.”

Instead of curtailing NATO’s expansion into the former Soviet satellite states of Eastern and Central Europe, one of the main goals set by President Vladimir Putin of Russia,

the Kremlin’s military onslaught on Ukraine has “brought Poland and the United States closer together for a common cause,” the ambassador said. The U.S. Army last month opened its first permanent garrison in Poland.

“Today we are continuing to expand on a lasting U.S. military footprint in Poland,” Brzezinski said.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine at the Royal Castle in Warsaw on Wednesday.

Poland’s President Andrzej Duda, left, welcomes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as they meet at the Presidential Palace in Warsaw, Poland, Wednesday, April 5, 2023.

Can China make peace in Ukraine?

By ROGER COHEN

President Emmanuel Macron of France arrives in Beijing Wednesday determined to carve out a distinct role for Europe that avoids America’s confrontation with an assertive China, and convinced that there is a place for Chinese mediation in ending the war in Ukraine.

Battered at home by protests over his decision to raise the French retirement age and rebuffed in his repeated attempts to sway President Vladimir Putin of Russia from pursuing a long war, Macron has turned to China as “the sole country in the world capable of changing Moscow’s calculus” on Ukraine, in the words of one diplomatic official.

“Only China can have a game-changer effect,” said the official, who requested anonymity in line with French diplomatic practice. “We know there will be no Chinese condemnation of Russia, but the president has worked enormously to see how, with China, we can be useful to the benefit of Ukrainians.”

What exactly Macron has in mind is not clear. China has never condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It has avoided use of the word “war” to describe the Russian assault. It has embraced a “no-limits,” anti-Western partnership with Moscow, cemented last month by President Xi Jinping’s visit to Russia and the joint declaration of a “new era” freed of what the two countries see as U.S. dominance.

But the French leader likes to thread needles invisible to others. He appears to detect enough Chinese disquiet over Putin’s war for diplomatic ingenuity.

China, as Putin acknowledged in September, has expressed “questions and concerns” about the war. Unlike Putin, it is not interested in nuclear saber-rattling; and it has not closed

the door on the suggestion last month from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine that China could “become a partner” in the quest for a settlement.

The United States has been dismissive of any Chinese role in Ukrainian peacemaking. It waved away a vague 12-point Chinese plan put forward in February. But taking his own independent position holds a strong political appeal to Macron, for whom the development of Europe as a global power is a recurrent theme.

He has been critical of the Biden administration’s tough line on China and believes any decoupling, or “de-linking,” is not good for Europe, given the vast economic interests at stake. The German auto industry depends overwhelmingly on the Chinese market; a possible deal with China for the sales of dozens of Europe’s Airbus aircraft is under discussion.

For China, too, at a time when relations with the United States are at their lowest point in decades, cultivating partners in Europe, especially France and Germany, holds considerable economic and strategic interest as it pursues its post-COVID reopening.

In an interview with The New York Times before Macron’s visit, China’s ambassador to the European Union, Fu Cong, urged Europe to be more independent of the United States, and suggested Chinese closeness to Russia had been overplayed. Of the “no-limits” friendship between the two countries, he said: “‘No limit’ is nothing but rhetoric.”

Xi will hold more than six hours of meetings with Macron during his three-day visit — exceptional treatment that amounts to a statement of serious diplomatic intent — including a joint visit to the southern city of Guangzhou, where the Chinese leader has strong family connections.

For the Chinese Community Party, strong growth is the indispensable guarantor of its authority. But growth fell to 3% last year, the lowest rate in many years. Europe can contribute more to an economic rebound than Russia, for all the talk of “no limits.”

Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president, who is accompanying Macron in a display of European heft, said in a speech last week that “it is neither viable — nor in Europe’s interest — to decouple from China. Our relations are not black or white — and our response cannot be either. This is why we need to focus on de-risk — not decouple.”

President Emmanuel Macron of France has been critical of the Biden administration’s tough line on China and believes any decoupling, or “de-linking,” is not in Europe’s interest.

Still, framing China’s rise in more direct and ominous terms than Macron, she said that “China has now turned the page on the era of ‘reform and opening’ and is moving into a new era of security and control.”

From page 13

Given that China “wants to become the world’s most powerful nation” by midcentury, and is intent on “systemic change of the international order with China at its center,” Europe must diversify away from its dependence on China for strategic materials, said von der Leyen, who represents the 27-member European Union.

“We rely on one single supplier — China — for 98% of our rare earth supply, 93% of our magnesium and 97% of our lithium,” she said, adding: “Batteries that are powering our electric vehicles are forecast to drive up demand for lithium by 17 times by 2050.”

Nicola

The French official said von der Leyen’s tougher public views on China’s hardening under Xi did not reflect a difference of appreciation, but rather Macron’s determination to look forward, in order to “find ways to build, once we know that.”

With both Putin and Xi, the tendency of the French leader has been to acknowledge on the one hand the threat they pose to Western values and democracy, and on the other to insist that only dialogue can bring favorable change.

That dialogue with Putin, intense in the early months of the war, has broken down in recent months. It bore no apparent fruit.

“We are an ally of the Americans. We are not equidistant

between China and the United States,” the French official said. “But we don’t have the same positions on China, because we don’t have the same interests.”

The potential for China to do great harm — whether by arming Russia or invading Taiwan — is too real, in the French view, for any other approach than “re-engagement on the basis of frank dialogue.”

This is not the language on China of the Biden administration. But if Macron, and Europe in general, welcome all the critical U.S. support for the war in Ukraine, they do not want the price of revived trans-Atlanticism to be the European loss of China.

Sturgeon’s husband arrested in inquiry over their party’s finances

By STEPHEN CASTLE

Just weeks after Nicola Sturgeon resigned as Scotland’s first minister, her husband was arrested on Wednesday in connection with an investigation into the finances of the Scottish National Party, where he served until recently as chief executive.

In accordance with British rules, a statement from Police Scotland did not identify her husband by name, referring only to a 58-year-old man, but British news outlets, including the BBC, said the suspect in custody was Peter Murrell, Sturgeon’s husband.

Broadcasters showed pictures of officers at the home shared by the couple near Glasgow, and at the headquarters of the pro-independence party, which dominates Scottish politics, in Edinburgh.

The statement said that the suspect was being questioned by Police Scotland detectives, while urging caution in discussing the development on social media in order to not prejudice any potential legal case.

Murrell, who has been married to Sturgeon since 2010, had held the post of chief executive since 1999, but he resigned last month after accepting blame for misleading statements that the party made about its membership numbers.

In February, Sturgeon caught the political world by surprise when she announced her resignation as Scotland’s first minister and leader of the SNP, sparking a divisive race to succeed her that Humza Yousaf won last week.

Speaking to the BBC, Yousaf said he could not comment on a police investigation but was told of the arrest “this morning after the event, and of course my reaction as you’d imagine, much like anybody involved in the SNP, is that this is a difficult day for the party.”

In a statement following news of the arrest, the SNP said, “Clearly it would not be appropriate to comment on any live police investigation, but the SNP have been cooperating fully with this investigation and will continue to do so.” Sturgeon has not been accused of wrongdoing.

Sturgeon was a popular figure and an effective communicator, and her departure dealt a blow to the SNP. She was a forthright champion for Scottish independence, and her decision to step aside created an opening for the SNP’s political rivals, most notably the Labour Party.

The arrest of Murrell is another setback for the SNP, just as Yousaf is establishing himself in his new job as the party leader.

The police inquiry into the party’s finances, codenamed Operation Branchform, began in 2021 and was reported to have followed complaints about the handling of around 600,000 pounds, or nearly $750,000, in donations raised to campaign for a second vote on Scottish independence. The authorities are thought to be looking into whether money intended to fight for another referendum was diverted for a different purpose.

In the 2014 referendum, Scots voted by 55% to 45% against independence. Sentiment on the issue has not shifted significantly, and independence backers suffered a significant loss last year when the British Supreme Court ruled that a second referendum could not be held without the agreement of Britain’s government in

London, which opposes such a move. But the question of Scotland’s constitutional future remains a huge issue in the country’s politics.

At the time of her resignation, Sturgeon said she was exhausted and had become too polarizing a figure to persuade wavering voters to support the independence cause to which she had devoted her political career.

“Is carrying on right for me?” Sturgeon, 52, said at a news conference in Edinburgh in February. “And, more important, is me carrying on right for my country, my party, and for the independence cause I have devoted my life to?”

“I’ve reached the difficult conclusion that it’s not,” she said.

When the BBC asked Yousaf if the investigation of Murrell explained Sturgeon’s resignation, he replied: “No, I believe Nicola Sturgeon absolutely that she had taken the party as further forward as she possibly could.”

Nicola Sturgeon, then the first minister of Scotland, and her husband, Peter Murrell, in Glasgow in 2019. They have been married since 2010.

Trump’s anticlimactic arraignment

By MICHELLE GOLDBERG

Imissed George Santos at the protest outside the courthouse where Donald Trump was later arraigned on Tuesday, and I couldn’t hear a thing Marjorie Taylor Greene said over the screams of counter-demonstrators and the incessant blowing of whistles. They were the two biggest names who turned out to show their support for Trump on a day that felt at once historic and very small.

The police put up metal barriers dividing a blocksized park near the courthouse in two, with dozens of Trump opponents on one side, dozens of Trump acolytes on the other, and cops everywhere. Altogether, there were hundreds of people, often screaming at one another across the divide, chants of “USA” competing with chants of “Lock Him Up!” Some characters were familiar from the Trump campaign roadshow, including Dion Cini, a peddler of Trump merchandise who flew a giant “Trump or Death” flag, and Maurice Symonette, founder of the groupuscule Blacks for Trump and onetime member of a violent Black supremacist cult. “He had sex with a prostitute,” Symonette said of Trump, apparently referring to adult film star Stormy Daniels. “How is that against the law? Who hasn’t done that?”

Of course, Trump wasn’t indicted for his affairs, but for the steps he allegedly took to cover them up. Before the indictment was unsealed, rumors flew across Twitter that it included a conspiracy count, but in the end, all 34 counts were for falsifying business records in connection with the payoff to silence Daniels, which Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg argued was connected to a broader scheme to squelch negative stories about Trump.

According to the indictment, the business record falsifications were done “with intent to defraud and intent to commit another crime and aid and conceal the commission thereof.” Although no other crime is charged, the statement of facts accompanying the indictment accuses Trump of violating election laws. It’s the connection to another crime that turns falsifying business records from a misdemeanor into a felony. Observers from across the political spectrum have been skeptical of the legal theory that underlies Bragg’s case. As The New York Times reported in March, “Combining the criminal charge with a violation of state election law would be a novel legal theory for any criminal case, let alone one against the former president, raising the possibility that a judge or appellate court could throw it out or reduce the felony charge to a misdemeanor.” Trump, in other words, may still wriggle out of this predicament.

As I’ve argued before, if Trump’s role in the hush money payments broke the law, it’s a serious matter, because those payments helped him get elected, and the plot to cover them up sent his former lawyer to prison. Trump, the statement of facts says, “orchestrated a scheme with others to influence the 2016 presidential election by identifying and purchasing negative information about him to suppress its publication and benefit the defendant’s electoral prospects.” If this is true, it’s perverse to suggest that Trump’s success in this scheme — represented by him winning the presidency — is a reason not to prosecute him.

Nevertheless, for all the hype going into Tuesday, the indictment feels anticlimactic. “True and accurate business records are important everywhere, to be sure,” said Bragg in his news conference after the arraignment. “They are all the more important in Manhattan, the financial center of the world.” Trump, like everyone else, should be held accountable if he failed to keep such records. We’re not owed an indictment commensurate with his depravity. Still, these are hard charges to get excited about.

Indeed, what’s struck me over the last two days in New York is a distinct lack of excitement. Many who detest Trump, I suspect, have lost faith in the ability of

the legal system to hold him to account. And while his supporters may threaten civil war, not many of them seem willing to brave Manhattan, which they’ve been told is a crime-ridden hellhole.

Earlier this week, Roger Stone, the political dirty trickster and longtime Trump ally, promoted a Monday rally outside Trump Tower. When I went there, only a handful of people had shown up. Tuesday’s turnout was larger, but still felt more desultory than menacing, despite some threatening rhetoric. (One man carried a sign with a noose affixed to it, signifying his hopes for members of the “Liberal Biased News Media.”) You could walk a block away and be unaware that anything was happening.

Maybe this is to be expected: Many of the people who might have led mob violence have been either indicted or convicted for their involvement in the Jan. 6 insurrection. And certainly, there remains an acute danger from Trump fanatics acting alone. The way the Trump camp has targeted the daughter of the judge overseeing the Trump case has been particularly unconscionable. Arguing that the daughter’s political work constituted a conflict for her father, people including Greene, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump shared a story featuring her photograph on social media, and Trump went after her in his post-arraignment speech, likely putting her safety at risk.

But while Trump still has an obsessive following, he can no longer command the country’s stunned attention, even by getting arrested. Maybe that’s the consolation of an arraignment that doesn’t feel at all momentous.

Dr.

No asignan FEI contra representante Jorge Navarro Suárez

SAN JUAN – Luego de analizar el informe de investigación preliminar realizado por la División de Integridad Pública y Asuntos del Contralor del Departamento de Justicia, el Panel sobre el Fiscal Especial Independiente (PFEI) acogió el miércoles, la recomendación del secretario Domingo Emanuelli Hernández de no designar un Fiscal Especial Independiente (FEI) para investigar al representante Jorge Navarro Suárez.

La querella que dio origen a esta petición la radicó Lisandra Cartagena Burgos, quien sostuvo una breve relación sentimental con el legislador y que ha ocasionado varias denuncias de parte y parte en los tribunales del país.

En síntesis, la base de la querella fueron unas declaraciones que Navarro Suárez realizara ante un medio informativo, que requirió su parecer en medio de una Vista ante un Tribunal. En otra Vista

celebrada el mismo día, se emitió una orden de protección exparte a favor de la señora Cartagena Burgos.

Alegó la querellante que, tras ver el reportaje, percibía las expresiones como una intimidación.

El análisis de Justicia determinó que al momento en que el representante fue entrevistado por el reportero, la referida orden de protección exparte no había sido diligenciada, ni en la persona del representante ni en la de su abogado.

Por tanto, no surgen elementos que sugieran que el representante transgredió “a sabiendas” una orden cuyo contenido aparenta no haber conocido. El concepto “a sabiendas”, según definido en el Artículo 14 (a) del Código Penal de 2012, “implica conocimiento personal.”

En vista de lo anterior, el Secretario de Justicia había sometido su recomendación de no designar FEI, acción con la que concurrió el Panel, ordenando el archivo del asunto.

Sánchez Álvarez

POR CYBERNEWS

S AN JUAN – El Panel sobre el Fiscal Especial Independiente determinó este miércoles, acoger la recomendación del secretario de Justicia, Domingo Emanuelli Hernández, y en consecuencia, archivar el caso contra Héctor Joaquín Sánchez Álvarez, exsubsecretario de Educación.

Este asunto surgió a raíz de una investigación encomendada por el Secretario de Educación (DEPR), Eliezer Ramos Parés, al licenciado Nolan Portalatín Cepeda, entonces Secretario Auxiliar de Asuntos Legales y Política Pública de ese departamento.

La decisión de Ramos Parés se basó en unas alegaciones contra el exsubsecretario Sánchez Álvarez en el desempeño de sus funciones. Éstas se resumen en que, alegadamente, el exfuncionario había tratado de influenciar al jurado en la selección del Maestro del Año, y que ejerció presión sobre un empleado en el proceso de la creación de planes de trabajo. Asimismo, que intentó que se escogieran las personas recomendadas por él para la evaluación de ciertas propuestas. Además, que ordenó remover de su puesto a una funcionaria por represalias políticas.

La División de Integridad Pública y Asuntos del Contralor (DIPAC) del Departamento de Justicia tuvo a su cargo la investigación preliminar de este caso. Igualmente, entrevistó y tomó declaraciones juradas a varios funcionarios que participaron en la selección del Premio Maestro del Año. En particular, el miembro del jurado Félix A. Pérez Rivera indicó que Sánchez Álvarez le dio instrucciones a él y a otros funcionarios de quienes debían ser los ganadores, ya que tenían que estar afin con la política del gobernador.

La DIPAC advierte que, aunque no es descabellado asumir que el subsecretario Sánchez Álvarez pudo haber tenido la intención de beneficiar a ciertos candidatos al premio Maestro del Año 2021-2022, la prueba obtenida en la investigación preliminar establece que los 14 candidatos finalistas al premio Maestro del Año 2021-2022 que fueron entrevistados ese día, ya eran ganadores de premios

en metálico”.

Agrega el informe que no existen elementos que configuren el delito de intervención indebida en las operaciones gubernamentales, instaurado en el Artículo 254 del Código Penal. Tampoco se configura el delito contemplado en el Artículo 4.2 (b) de la Ley de Ética Gubernamental.

La otra alegación contra el señor Sánchez Álvarez consistió en que éste amenazaba y presionaba al doctor Guillermo López Díaz, Subsecretario de Asuntos Académicos y Programáticos del DEPR, para que incurriera en “gestiones incorrectas”, en relación con la selección de las personas para la evaluación de propuestas.La investigación preliminar establece que a base del cargo y funciones del exsubsecretario en el DEPR, él podía legítimamente dar seguimiento al doctor López Díaz y velar por el desarrollo y la implantación de los Planes.

Tampoco designan FEI al exsubsecretario de Educación Héctor Joaquín

‘Air’ review: The game changers

By MANOHLA DARGIS

It’s ridiculous how entertaining “Air” is given that it’s about shoes, even if it works overtime to persuade you that it’s also about other, nobler truths, too. Mind you, the pair that Nike presented to Michael Jordan in a 1984 meeting were custom. The company wanted badly to sign Jordan to an endorsement deal, so it created black-andred high tops with a white midsole and a multimillion-dollar sweetener. Jordan may have preferred Adidas, but he soon laced up for Nike, changing footwear, sports stardom and athletic marketing forever.

Directed by Ben Affleck, the frothily amusing and very eager-to-please “Air” tells the oft-told tale of how Nike signed Jordan to a contract that made each astonishingly rich. Yet while the man and the money are inevitably central to this deeply American story, both remain strategically obscured. Jordan (Damian Young) is shown only in teasing partial view, his face concealed (you see the real Jordan in archival images), an initially distracting decision that grows less gimmicky and seems more natural as the story shifts focus toward virtuous, less fungible human values like love, genius, grit, perseverance, righteousness and faith.

The movie’s principal true believer is Sonny Vaccaro (Matt Damon). (Like most of the main characters, Vaccaro is based on, and named after, a real person, though the actual Sonny is far juicier than he is here.)

A vision in beige with a beeper attached

to his belt, his belly spilling over that same belt, Sonny is a familiar, cartoonish sad-sack, a figure right out of Mike Judge’s “Office Space.” He’s divorced and still unattached, and his workaholic habits don’t bode well for romance. He routinely buys his nightly dinner at the local convenience store, making small talk with the clerk, then eats alone while staring at the TV or, in his case, side-by-side sets.

The story heats up when Sonny and his colleagues at Nike start looking at the latest NBA draftees to sign. Nike doesn’t want to spend much, so most of its execs are scouring the lower picks. But Sonny has a gift for spotting talent, and he’s aiming high: Jordan, the 21-year-old who’s left college early and whose moves he studies on smeary tape. Not everyone can read the future or see talent like Sonny, and much of the movie involves his wooing of two notably different dealmakers and breakers: Phil Knight (an amusing Affleck), Nike’s preening co-founder and chief executive, and Jordan’s mother, Deloris (a sensational Viola Davis).

Written by Alex Convery, “Air” nicely hits the sweet spot between light comedy and lighter drama that’s tough to get right. It’s funny, but its generous laughs tend to be low-key and are more often dependent on their delivery than on the actual writing. Damon is crucial to selling the humor. He’s packed on weight for the role, and he gives the character a stolid, tamped-down physi-

Matt Damon as a Nike exec and Viola Davis as Michael Jordan’s formidable mother in “Air.”

From page 17

cality, but he also lets you see the eddies of anger and frustration raging under the character’s skin. Sonny is put-upon and dejected, but he’s quick witted and doesn’t suffer fools (or Knight), and his patience has already been worn perilously thin when the story opens.

Waiting for Sonny to explode helps build the comic tension; watching him try to sign Jordan creates the relatively less punchy drama. Some of the juiciest laughs come from Sonny’s interactions with the gnomic Knight, a showboating supporting role that Affleck embraces with a sly, vacant deadpan and tragically unhip styling. Affleck knows how to steal scenes, and he pilfers a few, but he’s a very good and generous director of actors. He’s loaded up “Air” with terrific supporting players, including Jason Bateman and Chris Tucker, who, as Nike suits, add distinct flavor and some brilliant contrapuntal timing to the mix.

Along with Damon, the movie’s other MVP is Davis, whose beautifully modulated

expand its emotional palette. Davis is often called on to go big in her roles, to let the emotion and snot flow, so it’s a pleasure watching her hold back and change it up with lapidary, minimalist precision. Like Damon, she gives her character a palpable physical solidity, but Deloris is entirely comfortable, at ease in her body and in the world, and she’s in charge. You only read her face when she wants. Michael is the star of this world, but it’s Deloris who exerts the family’s greatest gravitational force.

Affleck handles all the story’s many parts gracefully, mostly by keeping them continually spinning. There’s a lot of walking-and-talking both in offices and in halls, which never gets dull largely because of who’s doing the walking and talking. What they’re chattering about is critical, even if the movie has distilled the hard-charging, world-shifting, sometimes (oftentimes!) ethically challenged business of professional sports into a group of really nice, funny, well-meaning personalities and one not-asnice agent, David Falk (Chris Messina), a trash-talking, phone-smashing, profane mo -

“Air” is enjoyably facile and light as a feather, though sometimes touching, never more so than in a late, deftly handled faceoff between Sonny and Deloris that brings the larger racial stakes of the landmark deal into crystalline focus. Here, as elsewhere, the movie deviates from the historical record — including the sometimes divergent, widely published accounts — to make a

richer, heftier, more meaningful story. As Affleck cuts back and forth between Sonny and Deloris, filling the screen with closeups that let you track every rivulet of emotion, it’s hard not to be moved, including by the sight of these exceptional actors who, with heart and talent, ever so briefly turn a story about capitalism into a referendum on the soul of a nation.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO

DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA

CENTRO JUDICIAL DE CARO-

LINA SALA SUPERIOR

E.M.I. EQUITY

MORTGAGE, INC.

Demandante Vs. LYDIA ADALGISA

DOMINGUEZ LOZANO

T/C/C LYDIA ADALGISA

DOMINGA T/C/C

LYDIA DOMINGUEZ

TORRES T/C/C LYDIA

ALDAGISA DOMINGUEZ

TORRES POR SI Y EN LA CUOTA VIUDAL

USUFRUCTUARIA

DE LA SUCESION DE GERMAN ANTONIO

TORRES RODRIGUEZ; LA SUCESION DE GERMAN ANTONIO

TORRES RODRIGUEZ

COMPUESTA POR

IVONNE LUICELLA, DORIS ELIZABETH Y GERMAN MAURICIO

TODOS DE APELLIDOS

TORRES DOMINGUEZ; FULANO Y FULANA DE TAL COMO

POSIBLES HEREDEROS

DESCONOCIDOS DE LA SUCESION; CENTRO DE RECAUDACIONES DE INGRESOS MUNICIPALES (CRIM); ESTADOS

UNIDOS DE AMERICA

Demandados

Civil Núm.: CA2022CV01843.

Sala: 402. Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO Y EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA (VÍA ORDINARIA). EDICTO DE SUBASTA. El Alguacil que suscribe por la presente CERTIFICA, ANUNCIA y hace CONSTAR: Que en cumplimiento de un Mandamiento de Ejecución de Sentencia que le ha sido dirigido al Alguacil que suscribe por la Secretaría del TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA

INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDI-

CIAL DE CAROLINA, SALA SUPERIOR, en el caso de epígrafe procederá a vender en pública subasta al mejor postor en efectivo, cheque certificado en moneda legal de los Estados Unidos de América el 1RO DE MAYO DE 2023, A LAS 1:45 DE LA TARDE, en su oficina sita en el local que ocupa en el edificio del TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO

JUDICIAL DE CAROLINA, SALA SUPERIOR, todo derecho, título e interés que tenga la parte demandada de epígrafe en el inmueble de su propiedad

que ubica en: URB. JOSE SEVERO QUIÑONES, I-5 CALLE EUSEBIO GONZALEZ, CAROLINA, PR 00985 y que se describe a continuación: URBANA: Solar marcado con el número I-cinco del Plano de Inscripción del proyecto de viviendas a bajo costo denominado José Severo Quiñones (VBC-cuatro) radicado en el Barrio Martín González del término municipal de Carolina, Puerto Rico, con una cabida superficial de doscientos catorce metros cuadrados con cuarenta y seis centésimas de otro metro (214.00 m.c., según Escritura de Hipoteca y Modificación). En lindes por el NORTE, con el solar número I-seis; por el SUR, con el solar número I-cuatro y pared medianera; por el ESTE, con los solares número I-trece e Icatorce; y por el OESTE, con la Calle número diecisiete (17-A, según Escritura de Hipoteca y Modificación). Enclava una estructura dedicada a vivienda sobre la cual existe una servidumbre por signo aparente establecida por la Corporación vendedora en la pared que divide dicha estructura de la estructura enclavada en el solar número I cuatro cuya pared continuara sirviendo a eta estructura y pertenece en común proindiviso en toda su actual extensión y espesor, al propietario de esta edificación y al propietario de le edificación colindante. La propiedad antes relacionada consta inscrita al Folio 172 del Tomo 587 de Carolina, finca número 23,631, Registro de la Propiedad de Carolina, Sección Segunda. El tipo mínimo para la primera subasta del inmueble antes relacionado, será el dispuesto en la Escritura de Hipoteca, es decir la suma de $63,976.33. Si no hubiere remate ni adjudicación en la primera subasta del inmueble mencionado, se celebrará una SEGUNDA SUBASTA en las oficinas del Alguacil que suscribe el día 8 DE MAYO DE 2023, A LAS 1:45 DE LA TARDE. En la segunda subasta que se celebre servirá de tipo mínimo las dos terceras partes (2/3) del precio pactado en la primera subasta, o sea la suma de $42,650.39. Si tampoco hubiere remate ni adjudicación en la segunda subasta se celebrará una TERCERA SUBASTA en las oficinas del Alguacil que suscribe el día 15 DE MAYO DE 2023, A LAS 1:45 DE LA TARDE. Para la tercera subasta servirá de tipo mínimo la mitad (1/2) del precio pactado para el caso de ejecución, o sea, la suma de $31,988.17. La hipoteca a ejecutarse en el caso de epígrafe fue constitui-

da mediante la escritura número 276 otorgada en San Juan, Puerto Rico, el día 21 mayo de 2008, ante el Notario Luis O. Dávila Alemán, modificada en cuanto a su principal que será de $63,976.33; en cuanto al interés que será de 4.50%; en cuanto a su pago mensual de principal e interés será por la cantidad de $324.16; en cuanto a su vencimiento que será el primero (1ro) noviembre de 2044, en cuanto a los costas, gastos y honorarios de abogado que serán $6,397.63 y en cuanto al tipo mínimo en caso de ejecución que será de $63,976.33, según consta de la escritura de modificación de hipoteca número 507, otorgada el día 24 de octubre de 2014, en San Juan, Puerto Rico ante la Notario Público Jaime E. Dávila Santini, inscripción cuarta y séptima, respectivamente. Dicha subasta se llevará a cabo para con su producto satisfacer al Demandante total o parcialmente según sea el caso el importe de la Sentencia que ha obtenido ascendente a la suma de $55,560.73 por concepto de principal, desde el 1ro de enero de 2022, más intereses al tipo pactado de 4.50% anual que continúan acumulándose hasta el pago total de la obligación.

Además, Lydia Adalgisa Domínguez Lozano t/c/c Lydia Adalgisa Dominga t/c/c Lydia Domínguez Torres t/c/c Lydia Aldalgisa Domínguez Torres por sí y en la cuota viudal usufructuaria y la Sucesión de Germán Antonio Torres Rodríguez adeuda a la parte demandante los cargos por demora equivalentes a 4.00% de la suma de aquellos pagos con atrasos en exceso de 15 días calendarios de la fecha de vencimiento; los créditos accesorios y adelantos hechos en virtud de la escritura de hipoteca; y las costas, gastos y honorarios de abogado equivalentes a $6,397.63. Además, Lydia Adalgisa Domínguez Lozano t/c/c Lydia Adalgisa Dominga t/c/c Lydia Domínguez Torres t/c/c Lydia Aldalgisa Domínguez Torres por sí y en la cuota viudal usufructuaria y la Sucesión de Germán Antonio Torres Rodríguez se comprometió a pagar una suma equivalente a $8,109.00 para cubrir cualquier otro adelanto que se haga en virtud de la escritura de hipoteca y una suma equivalente a $8,109.00 para cubrir intereses en adición a los garantizados por ley. Que los autos y todos los documentos correspondientes al Procedimiento incoado estarán de manifiesto en la SECRETARIA DEL TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDI-

Thursday, April 6, 2023 20

CIAL DE CAROLINA, SALA SUPERIOR durante las horas laborables. Se entenderá que todo licitador acepta como bastante la titulación del inmueble y que las cargas y gravámenes anteriores y los preferentes, si los hubiere, al crédito del ejecutante continuarán subsistentes entendiéndose que el rematante los acepta y queda subrogado en la responsabilidad de los mismos, sin destinarse a su extinción el precio de remate. La propiedad no está sujeta a gravámenes anteriores ni preferentes según las constancias del Registro de la Propiedad. Surge de un estudio de título que, sobre la finca descrita anteriormente, pesa el gravamen posterior a la hipoteca que se ejecuta mediante este procedimiento que se relaciona a continuación: Hipoteca en garantía de un pagaré a favor de Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, o a su orden, por la suma principal de $22,701.24, sin intereses, vencedero el día 1 de noviembre de 2044, constituida mediante la escritura número 506, otorgada en San Juan, Puerto Rico, el día 24 de octubre de 2014, ante el notario Jaime E. Dávila Santini, e inscrita al folio 127 del tomo 1525 de Carolina, finca número 23,631, inscripción 6ta. Por la presente se notifica a los acreedores conocidos y desconocidos que tengan inscritos o anotados sus derechos sobre los bienes hipotecados con posterioridad a la inscripción del crédito del ejecutante o acreedores de cargos o derechos reales que los hubiesen pospuesto a la hipoteca del actor y a los dueños, poseedores, tenedores de o interesados en títulos transmisibles por endoso o al portador garantizados hipotecariamente con posterioridad al crédito del actor que se celebrarán las subastas en las fechas, horas y sitios señalados para que puedan concurrir a la subasta si les conviniere o se les invita a satisfacer antes del remate el importe del crédito, de sus intereses, otros cargos y las costas y honorarios de abogado asegurados quedando subrogados en los derechos del acreedor ejecutante. La propiedad objeto de ejecución y descrita anteriormente se adquirirá libre de cargas y gravámenes posteriores una vez el Honorable Tribunal expida la correspondiente Orden de Confirmación de Venta Judicial. Y para conocimiento de licitadores del público en general se publicará este Edicto de acuerdo con la ley por espacio de dos semanas en tres sitios públicos del municipio en que ha de ce-

lebrarse la venta, tales como la Alcaldía, el Tribunal y la Colecturía. Este Edicto será publicado dos veces en un diario de circulación general en el Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico, por espacio de dos semanas consecutivas. Expido el presente Edicto de subasta bajo mi firma y sello de este Tribunal en Carolina, Puerto Rico, hoy día 10 de marzo de 2023. HÉCTOR

L. PEÑA RODRÍGUEZ, ALGUACIL DE SUBASTAS, TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA, CENTRO JUDICIAL DE CAROLINA, SALA SUPERIOR. LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA

CENTRO JUDICIAL DE CAGUAS SALA SUPERIOR BANCO POPULAR DE PUERTO RICO

Demandante Vs. SUCESION DE EDEN RUIZ DALMAU COMPUESTA POR JONATHAN MARRERO RIVERA, ERIK MARRERO RIVERA; FULANO Y FULANA DE TAL COMO POSIBLES HEREDEROS DESCONOCIDOS DE LA SUCESION; CENTRO DE RECAUDACIONES DE INGRESOS MUNICIPALES (CRIM)

Demandados

Civil Núm.: CG2021CV02134. Sal: 705. Sobre: EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA “IN REM” (VÍA ORDINARIA). EDICTO DE SUBASTA. El Alguacil que suscribe por la presente CERTIFICA, ANUNCIA y hace CONSTAR: Que en cumplimiento de un Mandamiento de Ejecución de Sentencia que le ha sido dirigido al Alguacil que suscribe por la Secretaría del TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE CAGUAS, SALA SUPERIOR, en el caso de epígrafe procederá a vender en pública subasta al mejor postor en efectivo, cheque certificado en moneda legal de los Estados Unidos de América el día 18 DE ABRIL DE 2023, A LAS 9:00 DE LA MAÑANA, en su oficina sita en el local que ocupa en el edificio del TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE CAGUAS. SALA SUPERIOR, todo derecho, título e interés que tenga la parte demandada de epígrafe en el inmueble de su propiedad que ubica en R-7 CALLE WILLIAM SANTIAGO, URB. IDAMARIS GARDENS, CAGUAS, PR 00727 y que se describe a continuación: UR-

BANA: Solar marcado con el número siete (7) del Bloque “R” en el Plano de Inscripción de la Urbanización Idamaris Gardens, en los Barrios Cañabón y Caguitas, del municipio de Caguas, Puerto Rico, con una cabida de doscientos noventa y ocho punto cinco cuatro tres (298.543) metros cuadrados, en lindes por el NORESTE, con el solar R-Seis (R-6) de esta misma Urbanización en una distancia de 24.00 metros, por el NOROESTE, con los solares R-cuatro (R-4) y R-Cinco (R-5) de esta misma Urbanización, en dos alineaciones, una de 5.185 metros y otra de 7.960 metros, por el SURESTE con la Calle número diecinueve (19) de esta misma Urbanización, en una distancia de 11.881 metros; y por el SUROESTE con el solar R-Ocho (R-8) de esta misma Urbanización, en una distancia de 24.664 metros. En este solar enclava una estructura dedicada a vivienda construida de hormigón armado y bloques. La propiedad antes relacionada consta inscrita en el Folio 281 del Tomo 1,167 de Caguas, finca número 40,618, en el Registro de la Propiedad de Caguas, Sección Primera. El tipo mínimo para la primera subasta del inmueble antes relacionado, será el dispuesto en la Escritura de Hipoteca, es decir la suma de $76,109.00.

Si no hubiere remate ni adjudicación en la primera subasta del inmueble mencionado, se celebrará una SEGUNDA SUBASTA en las oficinas del Alguacil que suscribe el día

25 DE ABRIL DE 2023, A LAS

9:00 DE LA MAÑANA. En la segunda subasta que se celebre servirá de tipo mínimo las dos terceras partes (2/3) del precio pactado en la primera subasta, o sea la suma de $50,739.33.

Si tampoco hubiere remate ni adjudicación en la segunda subasta se celebrará una TERCERA SUBASTA en las oficinas del Alguacil que suscribe el día 2 DE MAYO DE 2023, A LAS

9:00 DE LA MAÑANA. Para la tercera subasta servirá de tipo mínimo la mitad (1/2) del precio pactado para el caso de ejecución, o sea, la suma de $38,054.50. La hipoteca a ejecutarse en el caso de epígrafe fue constituida mediante la escritura número 269 otorgada en Caguas, Puerto Rico, el día 19 de octubre de 2015, ante la Notario Rosanna Rivera Sánchez, la cual consta inscrita al Tomo Karibe de Caguas, finca número 40,618, inscripción 10ma y última, en el Registro de la Propiedad de Caguas, Sección Primera. Dicha subasta se llevará a cabo para con su producto

The San Juan Daily Star

satisfacer al Demandante total o parcialmente según sea el caso el importe de la Sentencia que ha obtenido contra la parte demandada ascendente a la suma de $69,989.34 por concepto de principal, desde el 1ro de octubre de 2019, más intereses al tipo pactado de 3.25% anual que continúan acumulándose hasta el pago total de la obligación. Además, La Sucesión de Edén Ruiz Dalmau adeuda a la parte demandante los cargos por demora equivalentes a 4.00% de la suma de aquellos pagos con atrasos en exceso de 15 días calendarios de la fecha de vencimiento; los créditos accesorios y adelantos hechos en virtud de la escritura de hipoteca; y las costas, gastos y honorarios de abogado equivalentes a $7,610.90. Además, La Sucesión de Edén Ruiz Dalmau se comprometió a pagar una suma equivalente a $7,610.90 para cubrir cualquier otro adelanto que se haga en virtud de la escritura de hipoteca y una suma equivalente a $7,610.90 para cubrir intereses en adición a los garantizados por ley. Que los autos y todos los documentos correspondientes al Procedimiento incoado estarán de manifiesto en la SECRETARIA DEL TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE CAGUAS, SALA SUPERIOR durante las horas laborables. Se entenderá que todo licitador acepta como bastante la titulación del inmueble y que las cargas y gravámenes anteriores y los preferentes, si los hubiere, al crédito del ejecutante continuarán subsistentes entendiéndose que el rematante los acepta y queda subrogado en la responsabilidad de los mismos, sin destinarse a su extinción el precio de remate. La propiedad no está sujeta a gravámenes anteriores y/o preferentes según surge de las constancias del Registro de la Propiedad en un estudio de título efectuado a la finca antes descrita. Por la presente se notifica a los acreedores desconocidos, no inscritos o presentados que sus derechos sobre los bienes hipotecados con posterioridad a la inscripción del crédito del ejecutante o acreedores de cargos o derechos reales que los hubiesen pospuesto a la hipoteca del actor y a los dueños, poseedores, tenedores de o interesados en títulos transmisibles por endoso o al portador garantizados hipotecariamente con posterioridad al crédito del actor que se celebrarán las subastas en las fechas, horas y sitios señalados para que puedan concurrir a la subasta

si les conviniere o se les invita a satisfacer antes del remate el importe del crédito, de sus intereses, otros cargos y las costas y honorarios de abogado asegurados quedando subrogados en los derechos del acreedor ejecutante. La propiedad objeto de ejecución y descrita anteriormente se adquirirá libre de cargas y gravámenes posteriores una vez el Honorable Tribunal expida la correspondiente Orden de Confirmación de Venta Judicial. Y para conocimiento de licitadores del público en general se publicará este Edicto de acuerdo con la ley por espacio de dos semanas en tres sitios públicos del municipio en que ha de celebrarse la venta, tales como la Alcaldía, el Tribunal y la Colecturía. Este Edicto será publicado dos veces en un diario de circulación general en el Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico, por espacio de dos semanas consecutivas. Expido el presente Edicto de subasta bajo mi firma y sello de este Tribunal en Caguas, Puerto Rico, hoy día 21 de marzo de 2023. ÁNGEL GÓMEZ GÓMEZ, ALGUACIL PLACA #593, ALGUACIL DE SUBASTAS, TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA, CENTRO JUDICIAL DE CAGUAS, SALA SUPERIOR. LEGAL NOTICE

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF PUERTO RICO

LIME HOMES LTD. Plaintiff V. FLOR CHINEA TORRES Defendant Civil Núm.: 16-CV-2911. (ADC). Re: FORECLOSURE OF MORTGAGE - IN REM. NOTICE OF SALE.

To: FLOR CHINEA TORRES, ANY OTHER PARTY WITH INTEREST OVER THE PROPERTY MENTIONED BELOW; GENERAL PUBLIC. WHEREAS: Judgment was entered in favor of plaintiff to recover from defendants the sum of $107,789.22 in principal, interest rate of 6.5000% per annum since December 1, 2014. Such interest will continue to accrue until the debt is paid in full. An additional deferred balance of $6,969.73 does not accrue interest at this time. In addition, the Defendant(s) owes the Plaintiff late charges amounting to 5% of any and all monthly payments or installments in arrears over fifteen (15) days after the installment is due. The Defendant(s) also owe the Plaintiff all of the advances made pursuant to the provi-

sions and/or dispositions of the Mortgage Note and the Mortgage Deed. The Defendant(s) also owes an amount equivalent to 10% of the original principal balance, or $10,835.00, as a liquidated amount to cover the costs, expenses, and attorney’s fees. The records of the case and of these proceedings may be examined by interested parties at the Office of the Clerk of the United States District Court, Room 150, Federal Office Building, 150 Chardon Avenue, Hato Rey, Puerto Rico. WHEREAS: Pursuant to the terms of the aforementioned Judgment, Order of Execution, and the Writ of Execution thereof, the undersigned Special Master was ordered to sell at public auction for U.S. currency in cash or certified check without appraisement or right of redemption to the highest bidder and at the office of the Clerk of the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, Room 150 – Federal Office

Building, 150 Carlos Chardón Avenue, Hato Rey, Puerto Rico, to cover the sums adjudged to be paid to the plaintiff, the following property (as described in the Property Registry in Spanish language): Cond. Turabo Clusters, C-H302, Caguas, PR 00725. URBANA: Propiedad Horizontal: Apartamento residencial identificado con el número H-302, localizado en la tercera planta del Cluster C del Condominio Turabo Clusters, sito en la Avenida principal del barrio Cañabon de Caguas, Puerto Rico, el cual tiene una cabida superficial de 1,131.63 pies cuadrados, equivalentes a 105.13 metros cuadrados.

En lindes por el NORTE, con el elemento exterior, el pasillo y las escaleras que dan acceso de entrada y salida al apartamento, al edificio, al condominio y vía pública, en treinta y un pies nueve pulgadas; por el SUR, con el elemento exterior, con treinta y un pies nueve pulgadas; por el ESTE, con el elemento exterior y la pared medianera del apartamento H-301, en cuarenta pies; y por el OESTE, con el elemento exterior, en cuarenta pies. La puerta principal de entrada a este apartamento se encuentra localizada en su colindancia Norte. Consta este apartamento de sala-comedor, cocina, tres dormitorios, dos servicios sanitarios y balcón. A este apartamento le corresponde como elemento común limitado un espacio para estacionamiento que acomoda dos vehículos de motor. Este espacio para estacionamiento se identifica con la letra del Cluster, donde se encuentra sito el apartamento y el número de éste. Elementos comunes generales del condominio 0.4722%. The property is recorded at page 111 of Ca-

guas, volume 1622, property number 53835 on Puerto Rico

Property Registry at Caguas, Section I. The mortgage is recorded at page 59 of volume 1690 of Caguas, 3rd inscription, property #53835 of the Property Registry of Property of Caguas.

Section I. The modification is recorded at page 59 overloaf of Caguas, volume 1690, property #53835, fourth inscription in the Property Registry of Caguas, Section I. WHEREAS: This property is subject to the following

liens: Senior Liens: None. Junior Liens: None. Other Liens: None. Potential bidders are advised to verify the extent of preferential liens with the holders thereof. It shall be understood that each bidder accepts as sufficient the title and that prior and preferential liens to the one being foreclosed upon, including but not limited to any property tax, liens, (express, tacit, implied or legal) shall continue in effect it being understood further that the successful bidder accepts them and is subrogated in the responsibility for the same and that the bid price shall not be applied toward their cancellation. THEREFORE, the FIRST PUBLIC SALE shall be held on the 16TH DAY OF MAY OF 2023, AT: 9:00 AM. The minimum bid that will be accepted is the sum of $108,350.00. In the event said first auction does not produce a bidder and the property is not adjudicated, a SECOND PUBLIC AUCTION shall be held on 23RD DAY OF MAY OF 2023, AT: 9:00 AM, and the minimum bid that will be accepted is the sum $72,233.33, which is two-thirds of the amount of the minimum bid for the first public sale. If a second auction does not result in the adjudication and sale of the property, a THIRD PUBLIC AUCTION will be held on the 30TH DAY OF MAY OF 2023, AT: 9:00 AM, and the minimum bid that will be accepted is the sum of $54,175.00, which is one-half of the minimum bid in the first public sale. Should there be no award or adjudication at the third public sale, the property may be awarded to the creditor for the entire amount of its debt if it is equal to or less than the amount of the minimum bid of the third public sale, crediting this amount to the amount owed if it is greater. The Special Master shall not accept in payment of the property to be sold anything but United States currency or certified checks, except in case the property is sold and adjudicated to the plaintiff, in which case the amount of the bid made by said plaintiff shall be credited and deducted from its credit; said plaintiff being bound to pay in cash or certified check only any excess of its bid over the secured indebtedness that remains unsatisfied. WHE-

REAS: Said sale to be made by the Special Master subject to confirmation by the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico and the deed of conveyance and possession to the property will be executed and delivered only after such confirmation. Upon confirmation of the sale, an order shall be issued cancelling all junior liens. For further particulars, reference is made to the judgment entered by the Court in this case, which can be examined in the Office of Clerk of the United States District Court, District of Puerto Rico. In San Juan, Puerto Rico, this 22nd day of March of 2023. PEDRO

A. VÉLEZ-BAERGA, SPECIAL MASTER, SPECIALMASTERPR@GMAIL.COM, 787-6728269.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE CAROLINA

LEGACY MORTGAGE

ASSET TRUST 2019-PR1

Parte Demandante Vs. SUCESIÓN DE ISABELO LLANOS LLANOS, COMPUESTA POR ISABELO LLANOS

SANTIAGO, NITZABEL LLANOS SANTIAGO; CARMEN NYDIA

SANTIAGO RIVERA

T/C/C NYDIA SANTIAGO

RIVERA POR SÍ Y EN LA CUOTA VIUDAL USUFRUCTUARIA;

FULANO Y SUTANA DE TAL COMO HEREDEROS DESCONOCIDOS; CENTRO DE RECAUDACIÓN DE IMPUESTOS

MUNICIPALES (CRIM)

Parte Demandada

Civil Núm.: CA2019CV04637. Salón Núm.: (409). Sobre: EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA Y COBRO DE DINERO. EDICTO DE SUBASTA. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS, ESTADO LIBRE

ASOCIADO DE P.R., SS.

A: SUCESIÓN DE ISABELO LLANOS LLANOS, COMPUESTA POR ISABELO LLANOS SANTIAGO, NITZABEL LLANOS SANTIAGO; CARMEN NYDIA

SANTIAGO RIVERA

T/C/C NYDIA SANTIAGO

RIVERA POR SÍ Y EN LA CUOTA VIUDAL USUFRUCTUARIA; FULANO Y SUTANA DE TAL COMO HEREDEROS DESCONOCIDOS;

CENTRO DE RECAUDACIÓN DE IMPUESTOS MUNICIPALES (CRIM): DEPARTAMENTO DE HACIENDA:

Y AL PÚBLICO EN GENERAL:

El Alguacil que suscribe, certifica y hace constar que en cumplimiento de Mandamiento de Ejecución de Sentencia que me ha sido dirigido por la Secretaría del Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala Superior de Carolina, procederé a vender en pública subasta y al mejor postor, por separado, de contado y por moneda de curso legal de los Estados Unidos de América. Todo pago recibido por el (la) Alguacil por concepto de subastas será en efectivo, giro postal o cheque certificado a nombre del (de la) Alguacil del Tribunal de Primera Instancia. Todo derecho, título, participación e interés que le corresponda a la parte demandada o cualquiera de ellos en el inmueble hipotecado objeto de ejecución que se describe a continuación: URBANA: Solar marcado con el número diez de la Manzana M, del Proyecto Jardines de Palmarejo, en el Barrio San Isidro de Canóvanas, con una cabida superficial de doscientos cincuenta y tres metros cuadrado; En lindes por el NORTE, con el solar número nueve, distancia de veintidós metros; por el SUR, con Parque Activo, distancia de veintidós metros; por el ESTE, con la calle número Catorce, distancia de once metros con cincuenta centímetros; y por el OESTE, con el solar número ocho, y el Parque Activo, distancia de once metros con cincuenta centímetros. Contiene una casa de hormigón de una sola planta, tipo “dúplex”, semi-terminado, compuesta de losa de piso, dos paredes de carga y losa de techo, unida a la casa continua por una pared medianera en hormigón armado, localizada en la colindancia del solar paredes de baño en bloques de hormigón, instalación sanitaria, sin incluir accesorios; instalación eléctrica, sin incluir alambrado, ni accesorios; instalación de agua fría y caliente, sin incluir plumas, ni accesorios con un área de piso de quinientos noventa y dos pies cuadrados.

Consta inscrita al folio 268 del tomo 84 de Canóvanas, finca número 4,661. Registro de la Propiedad, Sección III de Carolina. La propiedad objeto de ejecución está localizada en la siguiente dirección: Jardines de Palmarejo, Calle 14 M-10, San Isidro, Canóvanas, Puerto Rico 00729. Se informa que la propiedad a ser ejecutada se adquirirá libre de cargas y gravamen posterior, una vez sea otorgada la escritura de venta

judicial y obtenida la Orden y Mandamiento de cancelación de gravamen posterior. (Art. 51, Ley 210-2015). En relación a la finca a subastarse, se establece como tipo mínimo de licitación en la Primera Subasta la suma de $36,000.00, según acordado entre las partes en el precio pactado en la Escritura de Hipoteca #19, otorgada en (no expresa lugar de otorgamiento), el día 1 de junio del 2007, ante el notario Teresa Trujillo Ortiz, e inscrita al folio 1,397 del tomo 445 de Canóvanas, finca número 4,661, inscripción 5ta., como Asiento Abreviado extendida las líneas el día 31 de octubre del 2017, en virtud de la Ley número 216 del día 27 de diciembre de 2010. (Fue presentado el día 28 de junio del 2007 al Asiento 1465 del Diario 235). La PRIMERA SUBASTA, se llevará a cabo el día 4 DE MAYO DE 2023 A LAS 11:45 DE LA MAÑANA, en mis oficinas sitas en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala Superior de Carolina, el tipo mínimo para la primera subasta es la suma de $36,000.00. Si la primera subasta del inmueble no produjere remate, ni adjudicación, se celebrará una SEGUNDA SUBASTA el día 11 DE MAYO DE 2023 A LAS 11:45 DE LA MAÑANA, en el mismo sitio y servirá de tipo mínimo las dos terceras partes del precio pactada para la primera subasta, o sea, la suma de $24,000.00. Si la segunda subasta no produjere remate, ni adjudicación, se celebrará una TERCERA SUBASTA el día 18 DE MAYO DE 2023 A LAS 11:45 DE LA MAÑANA, en el mismo lugar y regirá como tipo mínimo de la tercera subasta la mitad del precio pactado para la primera, o sea, la suma de $18,500.00. Dicha subasta se llevará a cabo, para con su producto satisfacer a la parte demandante el importe de la Sentencia dictada a su favor, a saber: Suma Principal de $35,761.03, la cual se desglosa a continuación: la suma principal de $31,824.78, con intereses a 6.996% anual, desde el 6 de junio de 2018, hasta el presente y los que se continúen acumulando hasta su total y completo pago y un balance diferido por la cantidad de $3,936.25, el cual no genera intereses y vencedero a la fecha de vencimiento, más los cargos por demora que se corresponden a los plazos atrasados desde la fecha anteriormente indicada a razón de la tasa pactada de 5% de cualquier pago que éste en mora por más de quince (15) días desde la fecha de su vencimiento, más una suma equivalente a $3,600.00, por concepto de costas, gastos y honorarios de abogado, más cualquier otra suma que resulte por cualesquiera otros adelantos que se hayan hecho

la demandante, en virtud de las disposiciones de la escritura de hipoteca y del Pagaré hipotecario. Para más información, a las personas interesadas se les notifica que los autos y todos los documentos correspondientes al procedimiento incoado, estarán de manifiesto en la Secretaría del Tribunal, durante las horas laborables. Este EDICTO DE SUBASTA, se publicará en los lugares públicos correspondientes y en un periódico de circulación general en la jurisdicción de Puerto Rico. Se entenderá que todo licitador acepta como bastante la titularidad y que las cargas y gravámenes anteriores y los referentes, si los hubiere, al crédito del ejecutante continuarán subsistentes. Se entenderá que el rematante los acepta y queda subrogado en la responsabilidad de los mismos, sin destinarse a su extinción el precio del remate. Se procederá a otorgar la correspondiente Escritura de Venta Judicial y el Alguacil pondrá en posesión judicial al nuevo dueño, si así se lo solicita dentro del término de veinte (20) días, de conformidad con las disposiciones de Ley. Si transcurren los referidos veinte (20) días, el tribunal podrá ordenar, sin necesidad de ulterior procedimiento, que se lleve a efecto el desalojo o lanzamiento del ocupante u ocupantes de la finca o de todos los que por orden o tolerancia del deudor la ocupen. Expedido en Carolina, Puerto Rico, a 24 de marzo de 2023. HÉCTOR L. PEÑA RODRÍGUEZ, ALGUACIL PLACA #278.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE SAN JUAN

607-609

CONDADO ST., LLC.

Demandante V. LA SOCIEDAD INTERNACIONAL DE INVESTIGADORES PROFESIONALES, INC.

Demandado Civil Núm.: SJ2022CV01381. Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO POR LA VÍA ORDINARIA. AVISO DE PÚBLICA SUBASTA.

A: LOS CODEMANDADOS DE EPÍGRAFE Y AL

PÚBLICO EN GENERAL:

El Alguacil que suscribe por la presente anuncia y hace constar que en cumplimiento de una Sentencia en Rebeldía dictada en el caso de epígrafe el 13 de septiembre de 2022, notificada el 14 de septiembre de 2022 y publicada el 23 de septiembre de 2022, una Orden de Ejecución de Embargo emitida el 15 de marzo de 2023 y un Mandamiento de Ejecución de

Embargo emitido el día 17 de marzo de 2023, que le ha sido dirigido por la Secretaria del Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de San Juan, procederá a vender en subasta, y al mejor postor, por separado, de contado y por moneda de curso legal de los Estados Unidos de América, y/o giro postal, dinero en efectivo, cheque de gerente o cheque certificado a nombre del Alguacil del Tribunal, o letra bancaria, con similar garantía de todo título, derecho o interés de los demandados de epígrafe sobre el inmueble que adelante se describe. Se anuncia por la presente que la subasta habrá de celebrarse el día 4 DE MAYO DE 2023; A LAS 11:00

DE LA MAÑANA, en mi oficina localizada en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala Superior de San Juan, sobre el inmueble que se describe a continuación:

URBANA: Propiedad Horizontal: Oficina #505. Colinda por el OESTE, en 28’ 6”, con pared interior que lo separa de la oficina #504; por el ESTE, en igual medida, con pared interior que lo separa de la oficina #506; por el NORTE, en 15’ 5”, con pared que lo separa de parte de la oficina #504 y con el pasillo común; y por el SUR, en igual medida, con la pared exterior del edificio hacia su colindancia con la calle denominada “Rolan”. Comprende un área de 443 pies cuadrados, aproximadamente, y tiene su entrada y salida hacia el Norte, por el pasillo común con el cual colinda por ese lado. La oficina descrita se separa del quinto piso del edificio denominado Condominio Condado. Le corresponde una participación en los elementos comunes equivalente a un porcentaje del 0.017%.

FINCA NÚMERO: 4921, inscrita al folio 60 del tomo 153 de Santurce Sur, Registro de la Propiedad, Sede Metropolitana, sección primera de San Juan.

Dirección física: 609 Condado St., Oficina 505, San Juan PR 00907. La subasta se llevará a cabo para con su producto satisfacer al demandante, total o parcialmente, según sea el caso, de la referida sentencia que fue dictada por la siguiente suma: $9,573.72 por concepto de cuotas de mantenimiento vencidas y no pagadas; más la suma de $4,189.28 por concepto de intereses, más la suma de $947.99 por concepto de penalidad, para un total de $14,710.99, más las costas, gastos y una suma razonable por honorarios de abogado.

Esta subasta no tiene fijación de tipo mínimo por tratarse de una ejecución de sentencia por embargo. Y PARA CONOCIMIENTO DE LAS PARTES INTERESADAS y del público en general, se advierte que los autos de este caso y demás instancias están disponibles

para ser inspeccionadas en la Secretaría del Tribunal de Primera Instancia Sala Superior de San Juan, durante las horas laborables. Se entenderá que todo licitador acepta como bastante la titularidad del inmueble y que las cargas y gravámenes anteriores y los preferentes al crédito del ejecutante, incluyendo el gravamen por las contribuciones sobre la propiedad inmueble adeudadas, si los hubiere, continuarán subsistentes, entendiéndose que el rematante los acepta y queda responsable de los mismos sin destinarse a su extinción el precio del remate. La propiedad a ser ejecutada se adquirirá libre de cargas y gravámenes posteriores. En testimonio de lo cual, expido el presente aviso, el cual firmo y sello, hoy 23 de marzo de 2023, en San Juan, Puerto Rico. EDWIN E. LÓPEZ MULERO, ALGUACIL AUXILIAR, TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA, SALA DE SAN JUAN. ***

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE CIALES BANCO POPULAR DE PUERTO RICO

Parte Demandante Vs. SUCESIÓN DE JUAN HIRAM ORTIZ ALBELO COMPUESTA POR YAHAIRA MARIE, FRANCISCO JOSÉ, JUAN

HIRAM Y MARIANGELI, TODOS DE APELLIDOS ORTIZ RIVERA Y SUS POSIBLES HEREDEROS DESCONOCIDOS FULANO Y MENGANO DE TAL; ANGELINA RIVERA PÉREZ, POR SÍ Y COMO HEREDERA DE JUAN HIRAM ORTIZ ALBELO Parte Demandada Civil Núm.: C3CD2017-0009. Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO Y EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA POR LA VÍA ORDINARIA. INTERPELACIÓN POR EDICTO. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS E.E.U.U., EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO.

A: JUAN HIRAM ORTIZ RIVERA, COMO HEREDERO DE JUAN HIRAM ORTIZ ALBELO; FULANO Y MENGANO DE TAL, POSIBLES HEREDEROS DESCONOCIDOS DE JUAN HIRAM ORTIZ ALBELO, CON DIRECCIÓN E IDENTIDAD DESCONOCIDA. Queda usted notificado que este Tribunal, antes del falle-

cimiento del causante Juan Hiram Ortiz Albelo, dictó sentencia a favor de la parte demandante, declarando con lugar la Demanda sobre Cobro de Dinero y Ejecución de Hipoteca por la Vía Ordinaria, en la que se le concede la totalidad de la deuda vencida ascendente a la suma de $109,708.41 de principal, más intereses sobre dicha suma al 7.5% anual desde el 1 de agosto de 2016 hasta su completo pago, más $176.77 de recargos adeudados desde el día 1 de septiembre de 2016 hasta su total pago, más la cantidad estipulada de $12,640.00 para costas, gastos y honorarios de abogados, así como cualquier otra suma que contenga el contrato de préstamo. La propiedad que garantiza hipotecariamente el préstamo es la siguiente:

RÚSTICA: Situada en el Barrio Jaguas del término municipal de Cíales e identificada en el Plano de Inscripción con el solar #9 con cabida superficial de 904.1666 metros cuadrados, equivalentes a 0.2300 cuerdas. En lindes por el NORTE, con el señor Félix Ocasio y solar #8; por el SUR, con remanente de finca principal; por el ESTE, con el señor Félix Ocasio; y por el OESTE,: con carretera #149 y faja dedicada para uso público. Enclava una casa para fines residenciales. Inscrita al Folio 210 del Tomo 259 de Ciales Finca #11,206. Registro de la Propiedad de Manatí. La hipoteca consta inscrita en virtud de la Ley 216-2010, Ley para Agilizar el Registro al extenderse el Asiento el 16 de febrero de 2017 en el Tomo Karibe, Finca #11,206; Inscripción 5ta. La demandante es la tenedora por endoso, por valor recibido y de buena fe del referido pagaré objeto de la presente acción. Se le interpela para que acepten o renuncien a la herencia del causante dentro de los 30 días subsiguientes a la fecha que fuesen emplazados o requeridos que contesten, para dar cumplimiento al Artículo 1548 del Código Civil entendiéndose que/ si no se expresan dentro de dicho término, aceptan el caudal relicto; la renuncia se hará por instrumento público o por escrito judicial. La parte interpelada deberá presentar su alegación responsiva en la secretaría del Tribunal y enviando copia de la contestación a la abogada de la Parte Demandante, Lcda. Belma Alonso García, cuya dirección es: PO Box 3922, Guaynabo, PR 00970-3922, Teléfono y Fax: (787) 789-1826, correo electrónico: oficinabelmaalonso@gmail.com, dentro del término de treinta (30) días de la publicación de este edicto, excluyéndose el día de la publicación, advirtiéndoseles que de no hacerlo se concederá el re-

medio solicitado sin más citarle ni oírle. EXPEDIDO bajo mi firma y el sello del Tribunal, hoy 17 de marzo de 2023 en Ciales, Puerto Rico. VIVIAN Y. FRESSE GONZÁLEZ, SECRETARIA REGIONAL. NANCY RÍOS, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE SAN JUAN.

MASSACHUSETTS

MUTUAL LIFE

INSURANCE COMPANY

Demandante VS ANGELA MARÍA

PIMENTEL DE LA ROSA, por sí y como miembro de la SUCESION DE RAFAEL RIVERA

FIGUEREO t/c/c RAFAEL

RIVERA FIGUEROA compuesta por sus hijos

PABL0 RAFAEL RİVERA

PIMENTEL; RAFAEL

RIVERA PIMENTEL; BRENDALIZ RIVERA

PIMENTE; RICHARD

RIVERA DISLA y los herederos desconocidos denominados como

FULANO DE TAL

Y MENGANA MAS

CUAL; CENTRO DE RECAUDACION DE INGRESOS MUNICIPALES

RAFAEL RIVERA

PIMENTEL; RAFAEL

RIVERA PIMENTEL; BRENDALIZ RIVERA

PIMENTE; RICHARD

RIVERA DISLA Y los herederos desconocidos denominados como

FULANO DE TAL Y MENGANA MAS

CUAL: CENTRO DE RECAUDACION DE INGRESOS MUNICIPALES

(CRIM) ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMERICA,

Demandados

CIVIL NUM. SJ2021CV06459.

SOBRE: COBRO DE DINERO

Y EJECUCION DE HIPOTE-

CA POR LA VIA ORDINARIA.

EDICTODE SUBASTA. ESTA-

DOS UNIDOS DE AMERICA

EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS ES-

TADOS UNIDOS EL ESTADO

LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO. SS.

A: La Parte Demandada, al (a la) Secretario(a) de Hacienda de Puerto Rico y al Público General:

Certifico y Hago Constar: Que en cumplimiento con el Mandamiento de Ejecución de Sentencia que me ha sido dirigido por el (la) Secretario(a) del Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala Su-

perior de San Juan, en el caso de epígrafe procederá a vender en pública subasta al mejor postor en efectivo, cheque gerente, giro postal, cheque certificado en moneda legal de los Estados Unidos de América al nombre del Alguacil del Tribunal de Primera Instancia, en mi oficina ubicada en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de San Juan, el 25 de Abril de 2023, a las 11:30 de la mañana, todo derecho titulo, participación o interés que le corresponda a la parte demandada o cualquiera de ellos en el inmueble hipotecado objeto de ejecución que se describe a continuación:

URBANA: Solar marcado con el número once del bloque AE del plano de inscripción de la Urbanización Extensión Country Club situado en el barrio Sabana Llana de la municipalidad de Rlo Piedras, San Juan, Puerto Rico, con una cabida superficial de 300.15 metros cuadrados.

En lindes por el NORTE, en 13.05 metros con el solar 20; por el SUR, en 13.05 metros con la calle 58; por el ESTE, en 23.00 metros con el solar 10; y por el OESTE, en 23.00 metros con el solar 12. Consta inscrita al folio 241 del tomo 125 de Sabana Llana, finca número 5449, Registro de la Propiedad de Puerto Rico, Sección Quinta de San Juan.- Propiedad localizada en: 917 Urbanización Labrador Country Club, San Juan, PR 00924 tic/e Urbanización Extensión Country Club, Solar #11 Bloque AE, Barrio Sabana Llana, San Juan, PR 00924. Según figuran en la certificación registra!, la propiedad objeto de ejecución está no gravada por las siguientes cargas anteriores o preferentes. Según figuran en la certificación registra!, la propiedad objeto de ejecución está gravada por las siguientes cargas posteriores a la inscripción del crédito ejecutante: HIPOTECA en garantía de pagaré a favor del Secretary of Housing and Urban Development o a su orden por la suma principal de $3956.45 sin devengar intereses y vencimiento el 1 de enero del 2031. Constituida por la Escritura #18 otorgada en San Juan el 30 de septiembre de 2004 ante el notario José Manuel Rosa Malavé. Inscrita el 28 de enero de 2009 al folio 1 del Tomo 1043 de Sabana Llana, inscripción

7ª. HIPOTECA en garantía de pagaré a favor del Secretary of Housing and Urban Development por la suma principal de $7,036.54 la cual no devenga intereses y vencimiento el 1 de octubre de 2045 según consta de la Escritura #760 otorgada en San Juan el 13 de noviembre de 2015 ante la notario Magda V. Alsina Figueroa. Inscrita el 27 de julio del 2020 al Tomo Digital Karibe de la finca 5449 de Sabana Llana, inscrip-

ción 9ª. Se entenderá que todo licitador acepta como bastante la titularidad de la propiedad y que todas las cargas y gravámenes anteriores y los preferentes al crédito ejecutante antes descritos, si los hubiere, continuarán subsistentes. El rematante acepta dichas cargas y gravámenes anteriores, y queda subrogado en la responsabilidad de los mismos, sin destinarse a su extinción el precio del remate. Se establece como tipo mínimo de subasta la suma de $81,801.61, según acordado entre las partes en el precio pactado en la escritura de hipoteca. De ser necesaria una segunda subasta por declararse desierta la primera, la misma se celebrará en mi oficina, ubicada en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de San Juan, el 2 de Mayo de 2023, a las 11:30 de la mañana, y se establece como mínima para dicha segunda subasta la suma de $54,534.41, 2/3 partes del tipo mínimo establecido originalmente. Si tampoco se produce remate ni adjudicación en la segunda subasta, se establece como mínima para la tercera subasta, la suma de $40,900.80, la mitad (1/2) del precio pactado y dicha subasta se celebrará en mi oficina, ubicada en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de San Juan, el 9 de mayo de 2023, a las 11:30 de la mañana. Dicha subasta se llevará a cabo para, con su producto satisfacer a la parte demandante, el importe de la Sentencia dictada a su favor ascendente a la suma de $75,951.65; intereses al 4.00%,. los cuales se acumulan mensualmente desde el 1ro. de agosto de 2019 hasta el saldo total de la deuda; $406.12 por concepto de cargos por demora, los cuales continúan acumulándose hasta el saldo de la deuda; $8,186.16 por concepto de honorarios de abogado; asf como cualquier otra suma que se haga en virtud de la escritura de hipoteca. La venta en pública subasta de la referida propiedad se verificará libre de toda carga o gravamen posterior que afecte la mencionada finca, a cuyo efecto se notifica y se hace saber la fecha, hora y sitio de la PRIMERA, SEGUNDA Y TERCERA SUBASTA, si esto fuera necesario, ~ los efectos de que cualquier persona o personas con algún interés puedan comparecer a la celebración de dicha subasta. Se notifica a todos los interesados que las actas y demás constancias del expediente de este caso están disponibles en la Secretarla del Tribunal durante horas laborables para ser examinadas por los (las) interesados (as). Y para su publicación en el periódico The San Juan Daily Star, que es un diario de circulación general en

la isla de Puerto Rico, por espacio de dos semanas consecutivas con un intervalo de por lo menos siete (7) días entre ambas publicaciones, así como para su publicación en los sitios públicos de Puerto Rico. Expedido en San Juan, Puerto Rico, hoy dia 21 de marzo de 2023.

ERIK F. OSUNA ACEVEDO, Alguacil Auxiliar. ALGUACIL DE SUBASTAS, TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA, CENTRO JUDICIAL DE SAN JUAN, SALA SUPERIOR.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE MAYAGÜEZ SALA SUPERIOR SUSETTE MERCED RIVERA Y JOAN ROSA RIVERA

Parte Demandante Vs. FLAMBO BEACH HOUSE, LLC; AIRBNB, INC.; CINDY ANN OCASIO Y FULANO DE TAL POR SI Y EN REPRESENTACION DE LA SOCIEDAD LEGAL DE GANANCIALES COMPUESTA POR AMBOS; COMPAÑÍA

I-X; ASEGURADORI 1-X; ASEGURADORAS 1-10; CORPORACIONES 1-10; DEMANDADOS DESCONOCIDOS 1-10

Parte Demandada Civil Núm.: MZ2023CV00320. Sobre: DAÑOS Y PERJUICIOS. EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO. EN LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS, EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PR, SS.

A: AIRBNB, INC. Por la presente se le notifica que se ha presentado una Demanda de Daños y Perjuicios en su contra donde se solicita el pago de la suma de $60,000.00 dólares por concepto de daños. Por el presente Edicto, se les emplaza y requiere que conteste la demanda dentro de un término de treinta (30) días siguientes a la publicación del mismo y presente el original de dicha contestación a través del Sistema Unificado de Manejo y Administración de Casos (SUMAC), al cual puede acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección electrónica: https://unired.ramajudicial.pr, salvo que se represente por derecho propio, en cuyo caso deberá presentar su alegación responsiva en la secretaría del tribunal y notificar copia de la misma dentro del mismo término al Lcdo. Luis Domínguez Fuertes a la siguiente dirección: PO BOX 364566, SAN JUAN, PR 00936-4566, Tel. 787-2960000, ldominguezfuertes@ gmail.com, abogado de la parte

demandante. Por la presente se les apercibe que de no comparecer a formular alegaciones dentro de treinta (30) días contados a partir de la fecha de la publicación de este Edicto, se le anotará la rebeldía y se dictará Sentencia de acuerdo con lo solicitado en la demanda, sin más citarle ni oírle. Expedido bajo mi firma y sello de este Tribunal, en MAYAGÜEZ, Puerto Rico. a 29 de marzo de 2023. LCDA. NORMA G. SANTANA IRIZARRY, SECRETARIA. MARIEMER ALICEA TORRES, SECRETARIA DE SERVICIOS A SALA.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA DE PONCE

LEGACY MORTGAGE

ASSET TRUST 2019-PR1

Parte Demandante Vs. LUIS ENRIQUE RULLÁN MORALES, SU ESPOSA LETICIA

JIMÉNEZ CINTRÓN Y LA SOCIEDAD LEGAL DE GANANCIALES COMPUESTA POR

AMBOS

Parte Demandada

Civil Núm.: PO2023CV00412.

Sobre: EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA Y COBRO DE DINERO. EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS EE. UU., EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, SS.

A: LUIS ENRIQUE RULLÁN MORALES Y LA SLG COMPUESTA CON LETICIA JIMÉNEZ CINTRÓN.

POR LA PRESENTE se les emplaza y requiere para que conteste la demanda dentro de los treinta (30) días siguientes a la publicación de este Edicto.

Usted deberá radicar su alegación responsiva a través del Sistema Unificado de Manejo y Administración de Casos (SUMAC), al cual puede acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección electrónica: http://unired.ramajudicial.pr/sumac/, salvo que se presente por derecho propio, en cuyo caso deberá radicar el original de su contestación ante el Tribunal correspondiente y notifique con copia a los abogados de la parte demandante, Lcdo. Roberto C. Látimer Valentín, al PO BOX 9022512, San Juan, P.R. 00902-2512; Teléfono: (787) 724-0230. En dicha demanda se tramita un procedimiento de cobro de dinero y ejecución de hipoteca bajo el número mencionado en el epígrafe. Se alega en dicho procedimiento que la parte Demandada incurrió en el incumplimiento del Contrato

de Hipoteca, al no poder pagar las mensualidades vencidas correspondientes a los meses de mayo de 2022, hasta el presente, más los cargos por demora correspondientes. Además adeuda a la parte demandante las costas, gastos y honorarios de abogado en que incurra el tenedor del pagaré en este litigio. De acuerdo con dicho Contrato de Garantía Hipotecaria la parte Demandante declaró vencida la totalidad de la deuda ascendente a la suma principal de $65,029.00, más intereses a razón del 7.00% anual, desde el 1ro de abril de 2022, hasta el presente, y los que se continúen acumulando hasta su total y completo pago, más adelantos para el pago de seguros y contribuciones, así como todos aquellos créditos y sumas que surjan de la faz de la obligación hipotecaria y de la hipoteca que la garantiza, incluyendo una suma equivalente a ($6,325.00), por concepto de costas, gastos y honorarios de abogado todo según pactado. La parte Demandante presentará para su inscripción en el Registro de la Propiedad correspondiente, un AVISO DE PLEITO PENDIENTE (“Lis Pendens”) sobre la propiedad objeto de esta acción cuya propiedad es la siguiente: URBANA: Solar urbano marcado con el número siete (7) del Bloque J del plano de la Urbanización Lago Horizonte, sita en el Barrio Callabo, Juana Díaz, Puerto Rico, con un área superficial de cuatrocientos setenta y seis metros cuadrados (476.00 mc). Colinda por el NORTE, en diecisiete metros con los solares número uno y dos del mismo bloque; por el SUR, en diecisiete metros con la calle número once de la misma urbanización; por el ESTE, en veintiocho metros con el solar número ocho del mismo bloque; y por el OESTE, en veintiocho metros con el solar número seis del mismo bloque. Consta inscrita al folio 261 del tomo 388 de Juana Díaz, Finca número #13,928. Registro de la Propiedad de Puerto Rico, Sección I de Ponce. SE LE APERCIBE que de no hacer sus alegaciones responsivas a la demanda dentro del término aquí dispuesto, se les anotará la rebeldía y se dictará sentencia, concediéndose el remedio solicitado en la Demanda, sin más citarle ni oírle. Expedido bajo mi firma y sello del Tribunal en Ponce, Puerto Rico. A 3 de abril de 2023. CARMEN G. TIRÚ, SECRETARIA REGIONAL. MARIELY FÉLIX RIVERA, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR DEL TRIBUNAL.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL. GENERAL DE JUSTICIA

TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE CABO ROJO

FELIX AYALA QUINTANA

Demandante V. JOHN DOE Y RICHARD DOE, PRESUNTOS TENEDORES DEL PAGARE EXTRAVIADO

Demandado(a)

Civil Núm.: CB2022CV00610. Sobre: CANCELACIÓN DE PAGARÉ EXTRAVIADO. NOTIFICACIÓN DE SENTENCIA POR EDICTO.

A: JOHN DOE Y RICHARD DOE PRESUNTOS TENEDORES DEL PAGARE EXTRAVIADO. (Nombre de las partes a las que se le notifican la sentencia por edicto) EL SECRETARIO(A) que suscribe le notifica a usted que el 24 de marzo de 2023, este Tribunal ha dictado Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución en este caso, que ha sido debidamente registrada y archivada en autos donde podrá usted enterarse detalladamente de los términos de la misma. Esta notificación se publicará una sola vez en un periódico de circulación general en la Isla de Puerto Rico, dentro de los 10 días siguientes a su notificación. Y, siendo o representando usted una parte en el procedimiento sujeta a los términos de la Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución, de la cual puede establecerse recurso de revisión o apelación dentro del término de 30 días contados a partir de la publicación por edicto de esta notificación, dirijo a usted esta notificación que se considerará hecha en la fecha de la publicación de este edicto. Copia de esta notificación ha sido archivada en los autos de este caso, con fecha de 28 de marzo de 2023. En Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico, el 28 de marzo de 2023. NORMA G. SANTANA IRIZARRY, SECRETARIA REGIONAL. MARÍA M. AVILÉS BONILLA, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE GUAYNABO LIZA YANIRA DÍAZ BARCELÓ

Parte Demandante Vs. BANCO POPULAR DE PUERTO RICO; JUAN DEL PUEBLO Y JUANA DEL PUEBLO Y CUALESQUIER PERSONA DESCONOCIDA CON POSIBLE INTERÉS EN LA OBLIGACIÓN CUYA CANCELACIÓN POR DECRETO JUDICIAL SE SOLICITA

Parte Demandada

Civil Núm.: GB2022CV00942.

Sala: 202. Sobre: CANCELACIÓN DE PAGARÉ EXTRAVIADO. EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS, EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, SS.

A: JUAN DEL PUEBLO Y JUANA DEL PUEBLO O SEA, LAS PARTES CODEMANDADAS ARRIBA MENCIONADAS.

El Tribunal Superior de Puerto Rico, Sala de Guaynabo dictó la siguiente providencia: “ORDEN” Vista la Solicitud sobre Publicación de Edictos y la Demanda que se acompaña, según surge del Registro de la Propiedad de Puerto Rico, Sección de Guaynabo, se suscribió un Pagaré a favor de Banco de Ponce, o a su orden, por la suma principal de $45,000.00, intereses al 10 1/4% anual, vencedero el 1 de octubre de 2005. Véase Declaración Jurada que se aneja como ANEJO

B. 5. Para garantizar el pago de dicha obligación, se constituyó una hipoteca en garantía del antes descrito pagaré mediante la Escritura número 215, otorgada en San Juan, Puerto Rico, el día 28 de septiembre de 1990, ante el Notario José Miguel Rocafort Bastelo, inscrita al folio 193 vuelto del tomo 463 de Guaynabo, inscripción 13ra sobre la propiedad que se describe a continuación: URBANA: Solar radicado en la Urbanización Torrimar, situado en el Barrio Pueblo Viejo de Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, marcado con el numero dieciocho (18) de la manzana número diez (10), con un área de 992.41 metros cuadrados. En lindes por el NORTE, con lo solares 16 y 17 en distancia de 39.11 metros; por el SUR, con el solar 19, en distancia de 29.85 metros; por el ESTE, con el solar 14, en distancia de 23.86 metros, y por el OESTE, con la calle 2 en distancia de 31.44 metros. Contiene una casa de concreto reforzado diseñada para una familia. Finca 13,417 inscrita al folio 15 del tomo 203 de Guaynabo, Registro de la Propiedad de Puerto Rico, sección de Guaynabo. Los edictos se publicarán en un periódico de circulación general una sola vez. Excusándose del envío de copias de la Demanda y del Emplazamiento a dichos codemandados por desconocerse su dirección. DADA en Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, 28 de marzo de 2023. FDO. ALBERTO VALCÁRCEL RUIZ, JUEZ SUPERIOR. POR LA PRESENTE se le emplaza y requiere para que presente al tribunal su alegación responsiva a la Demanda dentro de los treinta (30) días a

partir de la publicación de este edicto. Usted deberá presentar su alegación responsiva a través del Sistema Unificado de Manejo y Administración de Casos SUMAC), al cual puede acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección electrónica: https:// unired.ramajudicial.pr/sumac/, salvo que se represente por derecho propio. Se le apercibe a los co-demandados JUAN DEL PUEBLO Y JUANA DEL PUEBLO que, si usted deja de presentar su alegación responsiva dentro del referido término, el tribunal podrá dictar sentencia en rebeldía en su contra y conceder el remedio solicitado en la demanda, o cualquier otro, si el tribunal, en el ejercicio de su sana discreción, lo entiende procedente.

LCDA. LIZBET AVILES VEGA RUA # 12536

URB. LOS SAUCES, CALLE POMARROSA #222

HUMACAO, PR 00791

TELS.: 787-354-0061 lizbet_aviles@yahoo.com, lcdalizbetaviles@gmail.com

Expedido bajo mi firma y el sello del Tribunal para su publicación, hoy día 29 de marzo de 2023. En Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. LCDA. LAURA I. SANTA SÁNCHEZ, SECRETARIA REGIONAL II. SARA ROSA

VILLEGAS, SECRETARIA DEL TRIBUNAL CONFIDENCIAL I.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA

SALA DE BANCO POPULAR DE PUERTO RICO

Demandante V. RAMÓN CARDONA

ACEVEDO, EDNA JUDITH VALLE TORRES Y LA SOCIEDAD LEGAL DE GANANCIALES COMPUESTA

POR AMBOS, R&G MORTGAGE CORPORATION, JOHN DOE

Demandadas

Civil Núm.: AG2023CV00428.

Sobre: CANCELACIÓN DE PAGARÉ EXTRAVIADO POR LA VÍA JUDICIAL. EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS, ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, S. S.

A: R-G MORTGAGE CORPORATION Y JOHN DOE COMO TENEDORES DESCONOCIDOS DEL PAGARÉ a favor de R&G Mortgage Corporation, o a su orden, por la suma principal de $130,000.00 con intereses a razón del 6.125% anual y con vencimiento el 1 de

septiembre de 2019; quedando tasada esta propiedad en $130,000.00. Así resulta de la Escritura número 548, otorgada en Mayagüez, P.R. el 31 de agosto de 2004, ante el Notario Angel Iván del Toro Matos, inscrita al folio 76 del tomo 303 de Aguada, finca 5966, Registro de la Propiedad de Puerto Rico, Primera Sección de Aguadilla. Por la presente se le emplaza y notifica que debe contestar la demanda incoada en su contra dentro del término de treinta (30) días a partir de la publicación del presente edicto. Usted deberá presentar su alegación responsiva a través del Sistema Unificado de Manejo y Administración de Casos (SUMAC), al cual puede acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección electrónica: https://unired.ramajudicial. pr/sumac/, salvo que se represente por derecho propio. Si usted deja de presentar y notificar su alegación responsiva dentro del referido término, el Tribunal podrá dictar sentencia en rebeldía en su contra y conceder el remedio solicitado en la Demanda, o cualquier otro, si el Tribunal, en el ejercicio de su sana discreción, lo entiende procedente. Los abogados de la parte demandante son.

ABOGADOS DE LA PARTE

DEMANDANTE:

Lcdo. Reggie Díaz Hernández RUA Núm.: 16,393

BERMUDEZ & DIAZ LLP

Suite 209

500 Calle De La Tanca San Juan, Puerto Rico 00901

Tel.: (787) 523-2670

Fax: (787) 523-2664 rdíaz@bdprlaw.com

Expido este edicto bajo mi firma y el sello de este Tribunal, hoy 29 de marzo de 2023. SARAHÍ

REYES PÉREZ, SECRETARIA

REGIONAL. ARLENE GUZMÁN PABÓN, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR DEL TRIBUNAL I.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBU-

NAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA

SALA SUPERIOR DE UTUADO

WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, NOT INDIVIDUALLY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR FINANCE OF AMERICA STRUCTURED SECURITIES

ACQUISITION TRUST

2018-HB1

Demandante Vs. MINERVA SANCHEZ VIRUET T/C/C MINERVA SANCHEZ; ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMERICA

Demandados

Civil Núm.: UT2022CV00217.

Sobre: EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA. EDICTO DE SUBASTA. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS, EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, SS.

A: LA PARTE DEMANDADA, AL (A LA) SECRETARIO(A) DE HACIENDA DE PUERTO RICO Y AL PÚBLICO

GENERAL:

Certifico y Hago Constar: Que en cumplimiento con el Mandamiento de Ejecución de Sentencia que me ha sido dirigido por el (la) Secretario(a) del Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala Superior de Utuado, en el caso de epígrafe, venderé en pública subasta y al mejor postor, por separado, de contado y por moneda de curso legal de los Estados Unidos de América y/o Giro Postal y Cheque Certificado, en mi oficina ubicada en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de Utuado, el 4 DE MAYO DE 2023, A LAS 2:00 DE LA TARDE, todo derecho título, participación o interés que le corresponda a la parte demandada o cualquiera de ellos en el inmueble hipotecado objeto de ejecución que se describe a continuación: RÚSTICA: Parcela marcada con el número 16 en el plano de parcelación de la Comunidad Rural Vista Alegre, radicada en el Barrio Mameyes Arriba, del término municipal de Jayuya, Puerto Rico, con una cabida superficial de 451.37 metros cuadrados. En lindes por el NORTE, con la Calle 2; por el SUR, con la parcela 11; por el ESTE, con la parcela 17; y por el OESTE, con la parcela 15. Finca número 5780, inscrita al folio 243 del tomo 98 de Jayuya, Registro de la Propiedad de Utuado. La Hipoteca Revertida consta inscrita al folio 202 del tomo 171 de Jayuya, finca número 5780, Registro de la Propiedad de Utuado, inscripción 3ª. Propiedad localizada en: SOLAR #16 PR 141 KM 13.0, SECTOR VISTA ALEGRE, JAYUYA, PR 00664. Según figuran en la certificación registral, la propiedad objeto de ejecución está gravada por las siguientes cargas anteriores o preferentes: Nombre del Titular: N/A. Suma de la Carga:

N/A. Fecha de Vencimiento:

N/A. Según figuran en la certificación registral, la propiedad objeto de ejecución está gravada por las siguientes cargas posteriores a la inscripción del crédito ejecutante: Nombre del Titular: Secretario de la Vivienda y Desarrollo Urbano. Suma de la Carga: $75,000.00. Fecha de Vencimiento: 16 de abril de 2096. Se entenderá que todo licitador acepta como bastante la titularidad de la propiedad y que todas las cargas y gravámenes anteriores y los pre-

ferentes al crédito ejecutante antes descritos, si los hubiere, continuarán subsistentes. El rematante acepta dichas cargas y gravámenes anteriores, y queda subrogado en la responsabilidad de los mismos, sin destinarse a su extinción el precio del remate. Se establece como tipo de mínima subasta la suma de $75,000.00, según acordado entre las partes en el precio pactado en la escritura de hipoteca. De ser necesaria una SEGUNDA SUBASTA por declararse desierta la primera, la misma se celebrará en mi oficina, ubicada en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de Utuado, el 11 DE MAYO DE 2023, A LAS 2:00 DE LA TARDE, y se establece como mínima para dicha segunda subasta la suma de $50,000.00, 2/3 partes del tipo mínima establecido originalmente. Si tampoco se produce remate ni adjudicación en la segunda subasta, se establece como mínima para la TERCERA SUBASTA, la suma de $37,500.00, la mitad (1/2) del precio pactado y dicha subasta se celebrará en mi oficina, ubicada en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de Utuado, el 18 DE MAYO DE 2023, A LAS 2:00 DE LA TARDE. Dicha subasta se llevará a cabo para, con su producto satisfacer a la parte demandante, el importe de la Sentencia dictada a su favor ascendente a la suma de $51,708.49 por concepto de principal, más la suma de $9,503.05 en intereses acumulados al 2 de septiembre de 2022 y los cuales continúan acumulándose a razón de 5.060% anual hasta su total y completo pago; más la sumas de $3,347.60 por concepto del seguro hipotecario; $3,450.00 por concepto de cargos por servicio; $1,599.86 por concepto de contribuciones; $841.68 por concepto de seguro; $1,075.00 por concepto de tasaciones; $280.00 por concepto de inspecciones; $1,642.50 por concepto de adelantos de honorarios de abogado; más la cantidad de 10% del pagare original en la suma de $7,500.00, por concepto de costas, gastos y honorarios de abogado. La venta en pública subasta de la referida propiedad se verificará libre de toda carga o gravamen posterior que afecte la mencionada finca, a cuyo efecto se notifica y se hace saber la fecha, hora y sitio de la PRIMERA, SEGUNDA Y TERCERA SUBASTA, si esto fuera necesario, a los efectos de que cualquier persona o personas con algún interés puedan comparecer a la celebración de dicha subasta. Se notifica a todos los interesados que las actas y demás constancias del expediente de este caso están disponibles en la Secretaría del Tribunal durante horas laborables para

ser examinadas por los (las) interesados (as). Y para su publicación en el periódico The San Juan Daily Star, que es un diario de circulación general en la isla de Puerto Rico, por espacio de dos semanas consecutivas con un intervalo de por lo menos siete (7) días entre ambas publicaciones, así como para su publicación en los sitios públicos de Puerto Rico. Expedido en Utuado, Puerto Rico, hoy 23 de marzo de 2023. ALG. JOSÉ

F. RIVERA PÉREZ, ALGUACIL REGIONAL. ALG. RICARDO DE ACEVEDO RIVERA, ALGUACIL PLACA #414.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL GENERAL DE JUSTICIA TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE CAGUAS

BANCO POPULAR DE PUERTO RICO

Demandante V. SUCESIÓN DE JOSÉ

CALDERÓN MORALES, Y SUCESIÓN DE ANA HILDA

SANTANA SERRANO, COMPUESTA POR:

DAMARIS CALDERÓN

SANTANA, JOSÉ LUIS

CALDERÓN SANTANA, PABLO CALDERÓN

SANTANA, JULIO CALDERÓN SANTANA, BENJAMÍN CALDERÓN

SANTANA, MARÍA

CRISTINA CALDERÓN, Y VIRGILIO CALDERÓN SANTANA, COMO HEREDEROS DE DICHA SUCESIÓN; “JOHN DOE Y RICHARD ROE” COMO POSIBLES HEREDEROS DESCONOCIDOS DE LAS SUCESIONES DE JOSÉ CALDERÓN MORALES, Y DE ANA HILDA SANTANA SERRANO; CENTRO DE RECAUDACIONES DE INGRESOS MUNICIPALES (CRIM)

Demandado(a)

Civil: CG2022CV01349. (802).

Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO Y EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA. NOTIFICACIÓN DE SENTENCIA POR EDICTO.

A: JOHN DOE Y RICHARD ROE COMO POSIBLES HEREDEROS DESCONOCIDOS DE LA SUCESIÓN DE JOSÉ CALDERÓN MORALES, Y SUCESIÓN DE ANA

HILDA SANTANA SERRANO. (NOMBRE DE LAS PARTES A LAS QUE SE LE NOTIFICAN LA SENTENCIA POR EDICTO) EL SECRETARIO(A) que suscribe le notifica a usted que el 24 de marzo de 2023, este

Tribunal ha dictado Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución en este caso, que ha sido debidamente registrada y archivada en autos donde podrá usted enterarse detalladamente de los términos de la misma. Esta notificación se publicará una sola vez en un periódico de circulación general en la Isla de Puerto Rico, dentro de los 10 días siguientes a su notificación. Y, siendo o representando usted una parte en el procedimiento sujeta a los términos de la Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución, de la cual puede establecerse recurso de revisión o apelación dentro del término de 30 días contados a partir de la publicación por edicto de esta notificación, dirijo a usted esta notificación que se considerará hecha en la fecha de la publicación de este edicto. Copia de esta notificación ha sido archivada en los autos de este caso, con fecha de 5 de abril de 2023. En CAGUAS, Puerto Rico, el 5 de abril de 2023. LISILDA MARTÍNEZ AGOSTO, SECRETARIA. KATHERINE CARRASQUILLO HERNÁNDEZ, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL GENERAL DE JUSTICIA TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE CAROLINA

BANCO POPULAR DE PUERTO RICO

Demandante V. SILVIA CESPÓN BÁEZ T/C/C SYLVIA CESPÓN BAIZ

Demandado(a)

Civil: CA2022CV03337. 401.

Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO Y EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA. NOTIFICACIÓN DE SENTENCIA POR EDICTO.

A: SIVLIA CESPÓN BÁEZ T/C/C SYLVIA CESPÓN BAIZ.

(Nombre de las partes a las que se le notifican la sentencia por edicto) EL SECRETARIO(A) que suscribe le notifica a usted que el 28 de MARZO de 2023, este Tribunal ha dictado Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución en este caso, que ha sido debidamente registrada y archivada en autos donde podrá usted enterarse detalladamente de los términos de la misma. Esta notificación se publicará una sola vez en un periódico de circulación general en la Isla de Puerto Rico, dentro de los 10 días siguientes a su notificación. Y, siendo o representando usted una parte en el procedimiento sujeta a los términos de la Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución, de la cual puede establecerse recurso de revisión o apelación dentro del término de 30 días contados a partir

de la publicación por edicto de esta notificación, dirijo a usted esta notificación que se considerará hecha en la fecha de la publicación de este edicto. Copia de esta notificación ha sido archivada en los autos de este caso, con fecha de 4 de ABRIL de 2023. En CAROLINA, Puerto Rico, el 4 DE ABRIL de 2023. MARILYN APONTE RODRÍGUEZ, SECRETARIA. KEILA GARCÍA SOLÍS, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE BAYAMÓN REVERSE MORTGAGE FUNDING LLC Demandante Vs. SUCESIÓN ALFONSO FLORES ORTIZ COMPUESTA POR FRANCISCO GUTIÉRREZ FLORES; JOHN ROE Y JANE ROE COMO POSIBLES HEREDEROS DESCONOCIDOS; SUCESIÓN DIGNA MILAGROS HERNANDEZ MARTINEZ COMPUESTA FRANCISCO GUTIÉRREZ FLORES; JOHN DOE Y JANE DOE COMO POSIBLES HEREDEROS DESCONOCIDOS; ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMERICA; CENTRO DE RECAUDACION DE INGRESOS MUNICIPALES Demandados

Civil Núm.: BY2022CV03695. Sobre: EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA. EDICTO DE SUBASTA. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS, EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, SS.

A: LA PARTE DEMANDADA, AL (A LA) SECRETARIO(A) DE HACIENDA DE PUERTO RICO Y AL PÚBLICO

GENERAL:

Certifico y Hago Constar: Que en cumplimiento con el Mandamiento de Ejecución de Sentencia que me ha sido dirigido por el (la) Secretario(a) del Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala Superior de Bayamón, en el caso de epígrafe, venderé en pública subasta y al mejor postor, por separado, de contado y por moneda de curso legal de los Estados Unidos de América y/o Giro Postal y Cheque Certificado, en mi oficina ubicada en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de Bayamón, Cuarto Piso, Oficina de Alguaciles de Subastas, el 9 DE MAYO DE 2023, A LAS 9:00 DE LA MAÑANA, todo derecho título, participación

si les convenga o satisfacer antes del remate el importe del crédito, de sus intereses, costas y honorarios de abogados asegurados, quedando subrogados en los derechos del acreedor ejecutante. Vendida o adjudicada la finca o derecho hipotecado y consignado el precio correspondiente, en esa misma fecha o fecha posterior, el alguacil que celebró la subasta procederá a otorgar la correspondiente escritura pública de traspaso en representación del dueño o titular de los bienes hipotecados, ante el notario que elija el adjudicatario o comprador, quien deberá abonar el importe de tal escritura. El alguacil pondrá en posesión judicial al nuevo dueño, si así se lo solicita dentro del término de veinte (20) días a partir de la confirmación de la venta o adjudicación. Si transcurren los referidos veinte (20) días, el tribunal podrá ordenar, sin necesidad de ulterior procedimiento, que se lleve a efecto el desalojo o lanzamiento del ocupante u ocupantes de la finca o de todos los que por orden o tolerancia del deudor la ocupen. Y PARA CONOCIMIENTO DE LOS LICITADORES Y DEL PUBLICO EN GENERAL y para su publicación de acuerdo con la Ley, expido el presente Edicto bajo mi firma y sello de este Tribunal. En Caguas, Puerto Rico, hoy 17 de marzo de 2023.

EDGARDO ALDEBOL MIRANDA, ALGUACIL AUXILIAR, TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA, SALA DE CAGUAS.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBU-

NAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA

CENTRO JUDICIAL DE CAROLINA SALA SUPERIOR

SRA. BRUNILDA VÉLEZ

CORTES; SRA. LYDIA

LISSETTE MALDONADO

BADILLO T/C/C LYDIA L.

MALDONADO BADILLO

Demandantes Vs ASSOCIATES

INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS

CORPORATION; JOHN DOE y JANE DOE

Demandados, como posibles tenedores del Pagaré extraviado

Caso: TJ2023CV00125. Sobre:

CANCELACIÓN DE PAGARE

EXTRAVIADO. EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS EE.

UU. EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO.

A: ASSOCIATES

INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS

CORPORATION; JOHN DOE Y JANE DOE,

POSIBLES TENEDORES DEL PAGARÉ EXTRAVIADO.

Por medio del presente edicto se les notifica de la radicación de una Demanda de Cancelación de Pagaré Extraviado en la que se solicita la cancelación del siguiente pagaré hipotecario, que se extravió luego de haber sido saldado por los deudores hipotecarios: el día 01 de agosto de 2012, el deudor hipotecario subscribió y otorgó un pagaré garantizado con hipoteca por la suma principal de $19,079.99 dólares, con intereses al 12.26% anual, vencedero al 01 de agosto de 2012, a favor de Associates International Holdings Corporation, o a su orden, en garantía de un pagaré suscrito bajo afidávit número desconocido.

Para garantizar el pago de dicha obligación, el deudor hipotecario constituyó una hipoteca según la escritura número # 480, en esa misma fecha, otorgada en Carolina, Puerto Rico ante la notario Arlene Echevarria Rodriguez, inscrita al folio 181 del tomo 741 de Trujillo Alto (Sección de Municipio), finca número 9,572, inscripción 6ta. El demandante solicita del Tribunal que declare con lugar la Demanda y dicte Sentencia declarando extinguida la obligación representada por el antes referido instrumento y Ordene al Secretario del Tribunal que expida Mandamiento al Registrador de la Propiedad, para que dicho funcionario proceda a cancelar en los libros a su cargo la referida hipoteca dejando la propiedad aquí descrita libre de dicho gravamen hipotecario. POR EL PRESENTE EDICTO se le emplaza y requiere que conteste la misma dentro de treinta (30) días siguientes a la publicación de este Edicto, que será publicado una sola vez, radicando el original de contestación de la misma ante el Honorable Tribunal mediante SUMAC presentada electrónicamente en https://tribunalelectronico.ramajudicial. pr/sumac2018/ y notificándole con copia fiel al representante legal de la parte Demandante :

Lcdo. Jorge Enrique Valldejuli Reyes; PO Box 367455, San Juan, PR 00936; teléfono (305) 874-8829, jvalldejuli@dlvpr. com ; si dejare de así hacerlo, se le anotará la rebeldía y se dictará sentencia contra usted concediendo el remedio solicitado sin más citarle ni oírle. EXPEDIDO bajo mi firma y el sello del Tribunal de Carolina, Puerto Rico, hoy 28 de marzo de 2023. NOMBRE: LCDA. MARILYN APONTE RODRÍGUEZ, SECRETARIA REGIONAL.

NOMBRE: RUTH M. COLÓN LUCIANO, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR DEL TRIBUNAL.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE SAN JUAN. RAFAEL ANÍBAL TORO COVAS; BELKIS EILEEN MORA ANTONGIORGI; SOCIEDAD LEGAL DE GANANCIALES

Demandantes V. MANDRIS PROVICENCIA; INÉS COLOMER; JOHN DOE & RICHARD ROE

Demandados

CIVIL NÚM. SJ2023CV01134

(504). SOBRE: PRESCRIPCIÓN ADQUISITIVA DEL DOMINIO. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMERICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS, EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO. SS.

A : MANDRIS PROVIDENCIA, como posible titular desconocida según instancias del CRIM o sea, la parte co-demandada arriba mencionada: Por el presente edicto se le notifica a la codemandada Mandris Providencia, que la parte demandante ha radicado una Demanda en este Tribunal donde se solicita se declare la prescripción adquisitiva del dominio de un predio en el Barrio Santurce de San Juan, Puerto Rico. La propiedad objeto de la Demanda ubica en la Calle Valencia 112, Barrio Santurce, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Se describe como sigue: Urbana: Solar enumerado en el plano planimétrico como la parcela “A” localizado en el barrio Santurce, calle Valencia continua a la parcela número 114, del municipio de San Juan, Puerto Rico, con un área de noventa y cinco punto diez (95.10) metros cuadrados equivalentes a cero punto cero dos (0.02) de cuerda. En lindes por el NORTE, con Calle Valencia; por el SUR, con parcela continua del Sr. Rafael A. Toro Coyas; por el ESTE, con Ia calle Valencia y por el Oeste con José A Vargas. Por la presente se les emplaza y requiere para que notifiquen a la licenciada Sara I. Pagán Rodríguez, P.O. Box 8232, Fernández Juncos Station San Juan, Puerto Rico 00910, teléfono 787-308-2020, abogada de la parte demandante, con copia de vuestra contestación a Ja Demanda radicada en este caso contra usted, dentro de un término de 30 días contados a partir de la publicación de este Edicto. Por la presente se les apercibe que de no comparecer a formular alegaciones dentro de 30 días contados a partir de la fecha de la publicación de este Edicto, se le anotara la

rebeldía y se dictara sentencia de acuerdo con lo solicitado en la. Demanda, sin más citarle ni oírle. Expedido bajo mi firma y sello del Tribunal, hoy día 2 de marzo de 2023. Griselda Rodríguez Collado, Sec Regional. F/ Linda Levy Rodriguez, Sec de Servicios a Sala.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE SAN JUAN.

RAFAEL ANÍBAL TORO COVAS; BELKIS EILEEN MORA ANTONGIORGI; SOCIEDAD LEGAL DE GANANCIALES

Demandantes V. MANDRIS PROVICENCIA; INÉS COLOMER; JOHN DOE & RICHARD ROE

Demandados

CIVIL NÚM. SJ2023CV01134 (504). SOBRE: PRESCRIPCIÓN ADQUISITIVA DEL DOMINIO. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMERICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS, EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO. SS.

A: INES COLOMER, como posible titular desconocida ‘según descripción registral colindante

Por el presente edicto se le notifica a la codemandada Mandris Providencia, que la parte demandante ha radicado una Demanda en este Tribunal donde se solicita se declare la prescripción adquisitiva del dominio de un predio en el Barrio Santurce de San Juan, Puerto Rico. La propiedad objeto de la Demanda ubica en la Calle Valencia 112, Barrio Santurce, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Se describe como sigue: Urbana: Solar enumerado en el plano planimétrico como la parcela “A” localizado en el barrio Santurce, calle Valencia continua a la parcela número 114, del municipio de San Juan, Puerto Rico, con un área de noventa y cinco punto diez (95.10) metros cuadrados equivalentes a cero punto cero dos (0.02) de cuerda. En lindes por el NORTE, con Calle Valencia; por el SUR, con parcela continua del Sr. Rafael A. Toro Coyas; por el ESTE, con Ia calle Valencia y por el Oeste con José A Vargas. Por la presente se les emplaza y requiere para que notifiquen a la licenciada Sara I. Pagán Rodríguez, P.O. Box 8232, Fernández Juncos Station San Juan, Puerto Rico 00910, teléfono 787-308-2020, abogada de la parte demandante, con copia de vuestra contestación a Ja Demanda radicada en este caso contra usted, dentro de un término de 30 días contados a

partir de la publicación de este Edicto. Por la presente se les apercibe que de no comparecer a formular alegaciones dentro de 30 días contados a partir de la fecha de la publicación de este Edicto, se le anotara la rebeldía y se dictara sentencia de acuerdo con lo solicitado en la. Demanda, sin más citarle ni oírle. Expedido bajo mi firma y sello del Tribunal, hoy día 2 de marzo de 2023. Griselda Rodríguez Collado, Sec Regional. F/ Linda Levy Rodriguez, Sec de Servicios a Sala.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE SAN JUAN. RAFAEL ANÍBAL TORO COVAS; BELKIS EILEEN MORA ANTONGIORGI; SOCIEDAD LEGAL DE GANANCIALES

Demandantes V. MANDRIS PROVICENCIA; INÉS COLOMER; JOHN DOE & RICHARD ROE

Demandados CIVIL NÚM. SJ2023CV01134 (504). SOBRE: PRESCRIPCIÓN ADQUISITIVA DEL DOMINIO. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMERICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS, EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO. SS.

A : JOHN DOE Y RICHARD ROE, como posibles titulares desconocidos Por el presente edicto se le notifica a la codemandada Mandris Providencia, que la parte demandante ha radicado una Demanda en este Tribunal donde se solicita se declare la prescripción adquisitiva del dominio de un predio en el Barrio Santurce de San Juan, Puerto Rico. La propiedad objeto de la Demanda ubica en la Calle Valencia 112, Barrio Santurce, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Se describe como sigue: Urbana: Solar enumerado en el plano planimétrico como la parcela “A” localizado en el barrio Santurce, calle Valencia continua a la parcela número 114, del municipio de San Juan, Puerto Rico, con un área de noventa y cinco punto diez (95.10) metros cuadrados equivalentes a cero punto cero dos (0.02) de cuerda. En lindes por el NORTE, con Calle Valencia; por el SUR, con parcela continua del Sr. Rafael A. Toro Coyas; por el ESTE, con Ia calle Valencia y por el Oeste con José A Vargas. Por la presente se les emplaza y requiere para que notifiquen a la licenciada Sara I. Pagán Rodríguez, P.O. Box 8232, Fernández Juncos Station San Juan, Puerto Rico 00910, teléfono 787-308-2020, abogada

de la parte demandante, con copia de vuestra contestación a Ja Demanda radicada en este caso contra usted, dentro de un término de 30 días contados a partir de la publicación de este Edicto. Por la presente se les apercibe que de no comparecer a formular alegaciones dentro de 30 días contados a partir de la fecha de la publicación de este Edicto, se le anotara la rebeldía y se dictara sentencia de acuerdo con lo solicitado en la. Demanda, sin más citarle ni oírle. Expedido bajo mi firma y sello del Tribunal, hoy día 2 de marzo de 2023. Griselda Rodríguez Collado, Sec Regional. F/ Linda Levy Rodriguez, Sec de Servicios a Sala.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA

SALA SUPERIOR DE PONCE GITSIT SOLUTIONS, LLC

Demandante Vs. SUCESIONES DE VÍCTOR

MANUEL PÉREZ RIVERA

T/C/C VICTOR M. PÉREZ RIVERA Y ROSA MARÍA

LEON ORTIZ T/C/C

ROSA MARIA LEON, COMPUESTA POR SUS

HIJOS VICTOR MANUEL

PEREZ LEON, JOSE

MANUEL PEREZ LEON, ELVIN PEREZ LEON Y BETZIA ESTER PEREZ LEON; FULANO DE TAL

Y MENGANA DE TAL, COMO HEREDEROS DESCONOCIDOS CON POSIBLE INTERÉS EN LAS SUCESIONES; CENTRO DE RECAUDACION DE INGRESOS MUNICIPALES (CRIM), COMO PARTE CON POSIBLE INTERÉS

Demandados Civil Núm.: PO2021CV02313.

Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO Y EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA POR LA VÍA ORDINARIA. EDICTO DE SUBASTA. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS, EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, SS.

A: LA PARTE

DEMANDADA, AL (A LA) SECRETARIO(A) DE HACIENDA DE PUERTO

RICO Y AL PÚBLICO

GENERAL:

Certifico y Hago Constar: Que en cumplimiento con el Mandamiento de Ejecución de Sentencia que me ha sido dirigido por el (la) Secretario( a) del Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala Superior de Ponce, en el caso de epígrafe procederá a vender en pública subasta al mejor postor en efectivo,

cheque gerente, giro postal, cheque certificado en moneda legal de los Estados Unidos de América al nombre del Alguacil del Tribunal de Primera Instancia, en mi oficina ubicada en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de Ponce, el 16 DE MAYO DE 2023 A LAS 10:30 DE LA MAÑANA, todo derecho título, participación o interés que le corresponda a la parte demandada o cualquiera de ellos en el inmueble hipotecado objeto de ejecución que se describe a continuación: RÚSTICA: Parcela marcada con el número 148 en el plano de parcelación de la comunidad rural Las Ollas del barrio Descalabrado de Santa Isabel, con una cabida superficial de .0935 diezmilésimas de cuerda equivalentes a 367.43 metros cuadrados. En lindes por el NORTE, con calle; por el SUR, con parcela número 169; por el ESTE, con parcela número 149 y por el OESTE, con parcela número 147. Inscrita al folio 238 del tomo 130 de Santa Isabel, finca número 4833, Registro de la Propiedad de Puerto Rico, Sección de Guayama. Propiedad localizada en: Descalabrado WD, 148 Las Olas Com, Santa Isabel, PR 00757. Según figuran en la certificación registral, la propiedad objeto de ejecución no está gravada por cargas anteriores o cargas posteriores a la inscripción del crédito ejecutante. Se entenderá que todo licitador acepta como bastante la titularidad de la propiedad y que todas las cargas y gravámenes anteriores y los preferentes al crédito ejecutante antes descritos, si los hubiere, continuarán subsistentes. El rematante acepta dichas cargas y gravámenes anteriores, y queda subrogado en la responsabilidad de los mismos, sin destinarse a su extinción el precio del remate. Se establece como tipo mínimo de subasta la suma de $72,000.00, según acordado entre las partes en el precio pactado en la escritura de hipoteca. De ser necesaria una SEGUNDA SUBASTA por declararse desierta la primera, la misma se celebrará en mi oficina, ubicada en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de Ponce, el 23 DE MAYO DE 2023 A LAS 10:30 DE LA MAÑANA, y se establece como mínima para dicha segunda subasta la suma de $48,000.00, 2/3 partes del tipo mínimo establecido originalmente. Si tampoco se produce remate ni adjudicación en la segunda subasta, se establece como mínima para la TERCERA SUBASTA, la suma de $36,000.00, la mitad (1/2) del precio pactado y dicha subasta se celebrará en mi oficina, ubicada en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de Ponce, el 30 DE MAYO DE 2023 A LAS 10:30 DE LA MAÑANA. Dicha subasta se llevará a cabo para,

con su producto satisfacer a la parte demandante, el importe de la Sentencia dictada a su favor ascendente a la suma de $66,980.57 de principal, intereses al tipo del 5.004% anual según ajustado desde el día 4 de noviembre de 2017 hasta el pago de la deuda en su totalidad, más la suma de $7,200.00 por concepto de honorarios de abogado y costas autorizadas por el Tribunal, más las cantidades que se adeudan mensualmente por concepto de seguro hipotecario, cargos por demora, y otros adeudados que se hagan en virtud de la escritura de hipoteca. La venta en pública subasta de la referida propiedad se verificará libre de toda carga o gravamen posterior que afecte la mencionada finca, a cuyo efecto se notifica y se hace saber la fecha, hora y sitio de la PRIMERA, SEGUNDA Y TERCERA SUBASTA, si ésto fuera necesario, a los efectos de que cualquier persona o personas con algún interés puedan comparecer a la celebración de dicha subasta. Se notifica a todos los interesados que las actas y demás constancias del expediente de este caso están disponibles en la Secretaría del Tribunal durante horas laborables para ser examinadas por los (las) interesados (as). Y para su publicación en el periódico The San Juan Daily Star, que es un diario de circulación general en la isla de Puerto Rico, por espacio de dos semanas consecutivas con un intervalo de por lo menos siete (7) días entre ambas publicaciones, así como para su publicación en los sitios públicos de Puerto Rico. Expedido en Ponce, Puerto Rico, hoy día 22 de febrero de 2023. MIGUEL

A. TORRES AYALA, ALGUACIL AUXILIAR PLACA #560, ALGUACIL DE SUBASTAS, TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA, CENTRO JUDICIAL DE PONCE, SALA SUPERIOR.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE PONCE RAFAEL PELLICIA TARAFA

Parte Demandante Vs. SOUTHERN MORTGAGE CORPORATION; CITIMORTGAGE

LNC. JOHN DOE Y RICHARD ROE COMO

POSIBLES TENEDORES DESCONOCIDOS

Parte Demandada Civil Núm.: PO2023CV00316. Sobre: CANCELACIÓN DE PAGARÉ EXTRAVIADO. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS EE. UU., EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO,

SS. EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO. A: SOUTHERN MORTGAGE CORPORATION.

451 TH STREET SW, WASHINGTON 20410.

POR LA PRESENTE se les emplaza y requiere para que conteste la demanda dentro de los treinta (30) días siguientes a la publicación de este Edicto. Usted deberá radicar su alegación responsiva a través del Sistema

Unificado de Manejo y Administración de Casos (SUMAC), al cual puede acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección electrónica: http://unired.ramajudicial.pr/ sumac/, salvo que se presente por derecho propio, en cuyo caso deberá radicar el original de su contestación ante el Tribunal correspondiente y notifique con copia a el abogado de la parte demandante:

LCDA. MARJALIISA COLÓN

VILLANUEVA

Abogada Parte Demandante

Registro #17341

WENDELL W. COLÓN LAW OFFICE

PO. Box 7970

Ponce, PR. 00732

Tel: 787-843-4168

Fax: 787-840-1049

Email: mcolon@wwclaw.com

SE LES APERCIBE que, de no hacer sus alegaciones responsivas a la demanda dentro del término aquí dispuesto, se les anotará la rebeldía y se dictará Sentencia, concediéndose el remedio solicitado en la Demanda, sin más citarle ni oírle. Expedido bajo mi firma y sello del Tribunal en Ponce, Puerto Rico, a 29 día de marzo de 2023. CARMEN G. TIRÚ

QUIÑONES, SECRETARIA

GENERAL. HILDA J. ROSADO RODRÍGUEZ, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBU-

NAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA

SALA SUPERIOR DE CAGUAS

DAISY HERNANDEZ TORRES

Demandante V.

FIRST BANK PUERTO

RICO; JUAN DEL PUEBLO

Y JUANA DEL PUEBLO Y CUALESQUIER PERSONA DESCONOCIDA CON POSIBLE INTERÉS EN LA OBLIGACIÓN CUYA CANCELACIÓN POR

DECRETO JUDICIAL SE SOLICITA

Demandados

Civil Núm.: CG2023CV00862.

Sobre: CANCELACIÓN DE PAGARÉ EXTRAVIADO. EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO.

ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS, EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, SS.

A: JUAN DEL PUEBLO Y JUANA DEL PUEBLO COMO POSIBLES TENEDORES Y CUALESQUIER PERSONA DESCONOCIDA CON POSIBLE INTERÉS EN LA OBLIGACIÓN CUYA CANCELACIÓN POR

DECRETO JUDICIAL SE SOLICITA.

Por la presente se le notifica que ha sido presentada en este Tribunal una Demanda en su contra en el pleito de epígrafe. 1. En este caso la parte demandante ha radicado una Demanda para que se decrete judicialmente el saldo de un (1) pagaré hipotecario a favor de Santander Mortgage Corporation, por la suma principal de $78,380.00, con intereses al 7% anual, vencedero el 1 de abril de 2037, constituida mediante la escritura 70, otorgada en San Juan, Puerto Rico, el día 28 de marzo de 2002, inscrito al tomo móvil 1,578 de Caguas, ante el notario Jose Orlando Mercado Gely, sobre la propiedad que se describe a continuación: URBANA: Parcela de terreno identificado como lote C raya diecisiete (C17) en la Calle número uno (1) de la Urbanización San Rafael, Barrio Tomas de Castro en Caguas, Puerto Rico, con cabida de ciento noventa y cinco punto cincuenta y uno metros cuadrados (195.51 m/c). En lindes: por el NORTE, en 10.91 metros, con la Urbanización Villas de Castro; por el SUR, en diez punto cincuenta y un metros lineales (10.51 m), con la Calle número uno (1); por el ESTE, en diecisiete punto ochenta y dos metros lineales (17.82), con lote C raya dieciséis (C16); y por el OESTE, en dieciocho punto dos metros lineales (18.02 m), con el lote C raya dieciocho (C-18). Enclava una estructura para fines residenciales. Finca Numero 46,652, inscrita al folio 150 del tomo 1,314 de Caguas. Registro de la Propiedad de Puerto Rico, Sección I de Caguas. La parte demandante alega que dicho pagaré se ha saldado según más detalladamente consta en la Demanda radicada que puede examinarse en la Secretaría de este Tribunal. Por tratarse de una obligación hipotecaria y pudiendo usted tener interés en este caso o quedar afectado por el remedio solicitado, se le emplaza por este edicto que se publicará una vez en un periódico de circulación diaria general de Puerto Rico. Usted deberá presentar su alegación responsiva a través del Sistema Unificado de Manejo y Administración de Casos (SUMAC), al cual puede acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección electrónica: https://unired.ramajudicial.

pr/sumac/, salvo que se represente por derecho propio. Debe notificar con copia de ella a la abogada de la parte demandante la Lcda. Lizbet Aviles Vega, Urb. Los Sauces, Calle Pomarrosa #222, Humacao, PR 00791; Tel (787) 354-0061, dentro de los treinta (30) días siguientes a la publicación de este Edicto, apercibiéndole que de no hacerlo así dentro del termino indicado, el Tribunal podrá anotar su rebeldía y dictar sentencia concediendo el remedio solicitado en la Demanda sin más citarle ni oírle. EXPEDIDO bajo mi firma y sello de este Tribunal, en Caguas, Puerto Rico, hoy día 30 de marzo de 2023.

LISILDA MARTÍNEZ AGOSTO, SECRETARIA. MARTA E. DONATE RESTO, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA DE BAYAMÓN BANCO POPULAR DE PUERTO RICO

Demandante V. ANSELMO PÉREZ RIVERA, ELBA REVERÓN FUENTES Y LA SOCIEDAD LEGAL DE GANANCIALES COMPUESTA POR AMBOS, ADMINISTRACIÓN DE LOS SISTEMAS DE RETIRO DE LOS EMPLEADOS DEL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, JOHN DOE

Demandadas

Civil Núm.: BY2023CV01694.

Sobre: CANCELACIÓN DE PAGARÉ EXTRAVIADO POR LA VÍA JUDICIAL. EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS, ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, S. S.

A: JOHN DOE COMO TENEDOR DESCONOCIDO DEL PAGARÉ a favor de Sistema de Retiro de los Empleados del Estado Libre Asociado De Puerto Rico, o a su orden, por la suma principal de $36,700.00 con intereses a razón del 9.25% anual, vencedero en 30 años, conforme a la escritura número 38, otorgada en San Juan, Puerto Rico, el 8 de noviembre de 1978, ante el Notario Ángel Ramírez Ramírez, inscrita al folio 233 vuelto del tomo 1118 de Bayamón

Sur, finca 49,940 de Bayamón Sur, Registro de la Propiedad de Puerto Rico, Primera Sección de Bayamón.

Por la presente se le emplaza y notifica que debe contestar la demanda incoada en su contra dentro del término de treinta (30) días a partir de la publicación del presente edicto. Usted deberá presentar su alegación responsiva a través del Sistema Unificado de Manejo y Administración de Casos (SUMAC), al cual puede acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección electrónica: https://unired.ramajudicial. pr/sumac/, salvo que se represente por derecho propio. Si usted deja de presentar y notificar su alegación responsiva dentro del referido término, el Tribunal podrá dictar sentencia en rebeldía en su contra y conceder el remedio solicitado en la Demanda, o cualquier otro, si el Tribunal, en el ejercicio de su sana discreción, lo entiende procedente. Los abogados de la parte demandante son.

ABOGADOS DE LA PARTE

DEMANDANTE:

Lcdo. Reggie Díaz Hernández RUA Núm.: 16,393

BERMUDEZ & DIAZ LLP

Suite 209

500 Calle De La Tanca San Juan, Puerto Rico 00901 Tel.: (787) 523-2670

Fax: (787) 523-2664 rdíaz@bdprlaw.com

Expido este edicto bajo mi firma y el sello de este Tribunal, hoy 30 de marzo de 2023. LCDA.

LAURA I. SANTA SÁNCHEZ, SECRETARIA REGIONAL. MARÍA E. COLLAZO FEBUS, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR DEL TRIBUNAL.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE HUMACAO

CSMC 2021-RPL4 TRUST Demandante V.

JOSÉ MIGUEL CARDONA

ALONZO; VIRGINIA RODRÍGUEZ MÁRQUEZ Y LA SOCIEDAD LEGAL DE GANANCIALES COMPUESTA POR AMBOS

Demandados

Civil Núm.: HU2022CV01195.

Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO Y EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA POR LA VÍA ORDINARIA. EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO.

ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS, ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, S.S.

A: VIRGINIA RODRÍGUEZ MÁRQUEZ, POR SÍ Y COMO REPRESENTANTE DE LA SOCIEDAD LEGAL DE GANANCIALES QUE

COMPONE CON JOSÉ MIGUEL CARDONA ALONZO.

Queden emplazados y notificados que en este Tribunal se ha radicado Demanda sobre Cobro de Dinero y Ejecución de Hipoteca en su contra. Por la presente se le emplaza y notifica que debe contestar la demanda dentro del término de treinta (30) días a partir de la publicación del presente edicto y deberá presentar su alegación responsiva a través del Sistema Unificado de Manejo y Administración de Casos (SUMAC), el cual podrá acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección electrónica: https://unired. ramajudicial.pr, salvo que se represente por derecho propio, en cuyo caso deberá presentar su alegación responsiva en la secretaría del tribunal. Si usted deja de presentar su alegación responsiva dentro del referido término, el tribunal podrá dictar Sentencia en Rebeldía en su contra y conceder el remedio solicitado en la Demanda, o cualquier otro, si el tribunal, en el ejercicio de su discreción, lo entiende procedente.

Los abogados de la parte demandante son:

Lcdo. Andrés Sáez Marrero

T.S.P.R. Núm. 18074 TROMBERG, MORRIS & POULIN, LLC

1515 South Federal Highway, Suite 100 Boca Raton, FL 33432

Tel. 877-338-4101 / Fax: 561-338-4077 prservice@tmpllc.com / asaez@tmpllc.com

Expido este edicto bajo mi firma y sello de este Tribunal, hoy 12 de enero de 2023. IVELISSE C. FONSECA RODRÍGUEZ, SECRETARIA REGIONAL AUXILIAR. KEYLA PÉREZ FIGUEROA, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR DEL TRIBUNAL.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE SAN JUAN REVERSE MORTGAGE FUNDING LLC.

Demandante Vs. SUCESION MARIA

MERCEDES DELGADO MEDINA T/C/C MARIA

M. DELGADO MEDINA

T/C/C MARIA MERCEDES

DELGADO COMPUESTA

POR RAFAEL ANTONIO

RODRIGUEZ DELGADO, JOSE RODRIGUEZ DELGADO; JOHN DOE Y JANE DOE COMO POSIBLES HEREDEROS DESCONOCIDOS; ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMERICA; CENTRO DE RECAUDACION DE INGRESOS MUNICIPALES

Demandados Civil Núm.: SJ2021CV06850. Sobre: EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA. EDICTO DE SUBASTA.

ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS, EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, SS.

A: LA PARTE DEMANDADA, AL (A LA) SECRETARIO(A) DE HACIENDA DE PUERTO RICO Y AL PÚBLICO

GENERAL:

Certifico y Hago Constar: Que en cumplimiento con el Mandamiento de Ejecución de Sentencia que me ha sido dirigido por el (la) Secretario(a) del Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala Superior de San Juan, en el caso de epígrafe, venderé en pública subasta y al mejor postor, por separado, de contado y por moneda de curso legal de los Estados Unidos de América y/o Giro Postal y Cheque Certificado, en mi oficina ubicada en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de San Juan, el 3 DE MAYO DE 2023, A LAS 10:30 DE LA MAÑANA, todo derecho título, participación o interés que le corresponda a la parte demandada o cualquiera de ellos en el inmueble hipotecado objeto de ejecución que se describe a continuación: RÚSTICA: Solar número siete (7) del Plano de Inscripción para la lotificación de una finca en el barrio Tortugo (San Juan), con un área total del mil trescientos noventa metros punto cinco mil cincuenta (1,390.5050) metros cuadrados. En lindes por el Norte, con Camino Municipal del Barrio Tortugo; por el Sur, con finca de Manuel Jiménez; por el Este, con el solar número seis (6) y por el Oeste, con el solar número ocho (8). Enclava una estructura para fines residenciales.

Inscrita al folio 191 del tomo 291 de Rio Piedras Sur, finca 9,380, Registro de la Propiedad de San Juan, Sección IV. La Hipoteca Revertida consta inscrita al folio 27 del tomo 862 de Rio Piedras Sur, finca 9,380, Registro de la Propiedad de San Juan, Sección IV, inscripción 3ª. Propiedad localizada en: PARCELAS CANEJAS, #7 CALLE 4, SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO 00926. Según figuran en la certificación registral, la propiedad objeto de ejecución está gravada por las siguientes cargas anteriores o preferentes: Nombre del Titular: N/A.

Suma de la Carga: N/A. Fecha de Vencimiento: N/A. Según figuran en la certificación registral, la propiedad objeto de ejecución está gravada por las siguientes cargas posteriores a la inscripción del crédito

ejecutante: Nombre del Titular: Secretario de la Vivienda y Desarrollo Urbano. Suma de la Carga: $208,500.00. Fecha

de Vencimiento: 13 de abril de 2094. Se entenderá que todo licitador acepta como bastante la titularidad de la propiedad y que todas las cargas y gravámenes anteriores y los preferentes al crédito ejecutante antes descritos, si los hubiere, continuarán subsistentes. El rematante acepta dichas cargas y gravámenes anteriores, y queda subrogado en la responsabilidad de los mismos, sin destinarse a su extinción el precio del remate. Se establece como tipo de mínima subasta la suma de $208,500.00, según acordado entre las partes en el precio pactado en la escritura de hipoteca. De ser necesaria una SEGUNDA SUBASTA por declararse desierta la primera, la misma se celebrará en mi oficina, ubicada en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de San Juan, el 10 DE MAYO DE 2023, A LAS 10:30 DE LA MAÑANA, y se establece como mínima para dicha segunda subasta la suma de $139,000.00, 2/3 partes del tipo mínima establecido originalmente. Si tampoco se produce remate ni adjudicación en la segunda subasta, se establece como mínima para la TERCERA SUBASTA, la suma de $104,250.00, la mitad (1/2) del precio pactado y dicha subasta se celebrará en mi oficina, ubicada en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de San Juan, el 17 DE MAYO DE 2023, A LAS 10:30 DE LA MAÑANA. DE MAYO DE 2023, A LAS 10:30 DE LA MAÑANA Dicha subasta se llevará a cabo para, con su producto satisfacer a la parte demandante, el importe de la Sentencia dictada a su favor ascendente a la suma de $76,077.04 por concepto de principal, más la suma de $29,661.80 en intereses acumulados al 13 de abril de 2022 y los cuales continúan acumulándose a razón de 3.674% anual hasta su total y completo pago; más la sumas de $8,734.90 en seguro hipotecario; $2,404.80 en seguro; $425.00 de tasaciones; $240.00 de inspecciones; 1,520.00 en adelantos de honorarios de abogado; más la cantidad de 10% del pagare original en la suma de $20,850.00, para gastos, costas y honorarios de abogado, esta última habrá de devengar intereses al máximo del tipo legal fijado por la oficina del Comisionado de Instituciones Financieras aplicable a esta fecha, desde este mismo día hasta su total y completo saldo. La venta en pública subasta de la referida propiedad se verificará libre de toda carga o gravamen posterior que afecte la mencionada finca, a cuyo efecto se notifica y se hace saber la fecha, hora y sitio de la PRIMERA, SEGUNDA Y TERCERA SUBASTA, si esto fuera necesario, a los efectos de que cualquier persona o

personas con algún interés puedan comparecer a la celebración de dicha subasta. Se notifica a todos los interesados que las actas y demás constancias del expediente de este caso están disponibles en la Secretaría del Tribunal durante horas laborables para ser examinadas por los (las) interesados (as). Y para su publicación en el periódico The San Juan Daily Star, que es un diario de circulación general en la isla de Puerto Rico, por espacio de dos semanas consecutivas con un intervalo de por lo menos siete (7) días entre ambas publicaciones, así como para su publicación en los sitios públicos de Puerto Rico. Expedido en San Juan, Puerto Rico, hoy 21 de marzo de 2022. EDWIN E. LÓPEZ MULERO, ALGUACIL AUXILIAR.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE CAROLINA

ELIZABETH

RIVERA ROSA

Demandante Vs. ELÍAS CINTRÓN GARCÍA

Demandado

Núm. Caso: TJ2023RF00024. Sobre: DIVORCIO, RUPTURA IRREPARABLE. EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO.

A: ELÍAS CINTRÓN GARCÍA. AVE. DIEGO VELÁZQUEZ, N-9 URB. EL CONQUISTADOR, TRUJILLO ALTO, PR 00976. Se le notifica a usted que se ha radicado en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia Sala de Carolina, el Caso Civil Núm. TJ2023RF00024 sobre DIVORCIO. Se le emplaza y requiere para que notifique a la LCDA. IVETTE ROSSANA GARCÍA CRUZ, a la siguiente dirección: PO BOX 373151, CAYEY, PR 0000737-3151. Teléfono 787-286-9900 Email: garciacruzlaw@gmail.com, Abogada de la Parte Demandante, copia de sus alegaciones y/o contestación a la demanda, original deberán radicar ante este Honorable Tribunal, dentro de los treinta (30) días siguientes a la publicación de este Edicto. Si dejare de hacerlo se le anotará la rebeldía y se dictará sentencia en rebeldía concediendo el remedio solicitado por la demandante sin más citarle ni oírle. Extendido bajo firma y sello de este Tribunal. En Caguas, Puerto Rico, a 31 de marzo de 2023. LCDA. MARILYN APONTE RODRÍGUEZ, SECRETARIA REGIONAL.

At the Masters, Tiger Woods begins to show acceptance

By BILL PENNINGTON

Tiger Woods has many kinds of smiles. Some are genuinely welcoming. Some are a cultivated response, a performance learned from decades in the spotlight. Some, when he is about to say something barbed, are meant to be caustic. And some are a form of defiance, a reflex when he feels he is being challenged.

At a news conference on the eve of last year’s Masters Tournament, reporters were treated to the last of those looks — a grinning but pugnacious Woods. When asked if he could win that week, roughly a year after a horrific car crash nearly cost him his right leg, Woods answered curtly: “I wouldn’t show up to an event unless I think I can win it.”

The smile turned to a smirk.

It is now a year later. Two days before his 25th Masters, Woods, 47, has learned a new kind of smile, that of the dignified aging champion who is all too aware of his limited physical capabilities and an ever narrowing window to win a 16th major championship. He still yearns for that victory and has lost no fight for the cause, but several times on Tuesday, Woods sounded as if he was trying to gracefully acquiesce to a fate he may have never before contemplated.

“The ability and endurance of what my leg will do going forward will never be the same,” he said. “I can’t prepare and can’t play as many tournaments as I like. But that’s my future, and that’s OK. I’m OK with that.”

Woods admitted that when he now comes to Augusta National, he wonders if it will be the last time as a competitor. “I don’t know how many more I have in me,” he said.

Most telling, after a nine-hole practice round Tuesday with his longtime buddy, Fred Couples, 63, Woods joked that he was not far from joining Couples on the 50-and-over PGA Tour Champions circuit, where competitors ride in golf carts and skip the miles of walking that send pain shooting up Woods’ right leg.

With a laughing smile, Woods said: “I’ve got three more years from where I’ll get the little buggy and be out there with Fred. But until then, no buggy.”

Later in his news conference, while addressing a proposed rule that may inhibit how far the ball played by professionals will fly, he was asked how the new dictum might affect him. The new rule would not be imposed until 2026.

Woods snickered playfully: “By the time it takes effect, I may be long gone. As I said, I

may be in the buggy and off we go.”

Wood repeatedly explained Tuesday that his right leg, surgically rebuilt in the hours after his high-speed, tumbling car wreck outside Los Angeles in February 2021, aches even more than it did last year in competition, when he sometimes needed to use one of his irons like a cane to walk from shot to shot. At the PGA Championship last May, Woods nearly collapsed into a practice area bunker when he stumbled and lost his balance. He saved himself by using one of his clubs as a support. But not long afterward, after shooting the highest one-round score of his 22 PGA Championship appearances, Woods withdrew from the event.

During his practice round on Tuesday, Woods limped noticeably, especially when ascending Augusta National’s many hills. Walking downhill was no easier. He slowed as if he was worried about his leg buckling and winced periodically.

“I can hit a lot of shots but the difficulty for me is going to be the walking,” he conceded. “I wish it could be easier.”

There was only one moment Tuesday when Woods showed a version of his old bravado.

When asked if some of the favorites at this year’s Masters, including Woods’ good friends Rory McIlroy and Justin Thomas, still

view him as a threat to win this week, Woods mostly demurred. Woods is known for tutoring McIlroy and Thomas, neither of whom have won the Masters, in the nuances of the devilish Augusta National layout.

“Well, I don’t know — threat or not — I just think it’s understanding, picking some guys’ brains and figuring out what they need to do to win this tournament,” he said.

Woods said he was schooled similarly by Couples, Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus.

“That’s what this tournament allows us to do, to pass on knowledge and gain knowledge from the past and apply it,” he said.

But the original question lingered. Woods paused.

“Whether I’m a threat to them or not, who knows?” Woods said with maybe the slightest impish expression. “People probably didn’t think I was a threat in 2019 either, but it kind of turned out OK.”

In 2019, 11 years after his last major championship victory, Woods won his fifth Masters title.

It is a memory, along with so many others in Woods’ nearly 30 years as a public figure, that has kept sports fans flocking to watch him play. It was no different late Tuesday morning as Woods, who spent a long stretch as the world’s most famous athlete, played the final hole of his practice round.

The ninth green at Augusta National, on a hilltop in front of the sprawling clubhouse, was surrounded by only a smattering of fans as Woods hit his last tee shot of the day 460 yards away. But suddenly, like passengers disembarking from a vast caravan of buses, a horde of fans appeared from around a bend in the course and began to clamber up the steep hill from the ninth fairway to the putting surface.

Within minutes, the crowd enveloping the green was a dozen deep. Applause erupted when Woods’ second shot from about 160 yards landed safely about 15 feet from the hole. As Woods walked, or limped, toward the green, people pushed against the ropes restraining the gallery in an effort, it seemed, just to be closer to him. Adults held children on their shoulders so they could see above the throng, while others stood on their tiptoes.

Once reaching the green, Woods was cheered but as soon as he began to practice his putting from various spots, the congregation fell silent. Woods’ putter making contact with his golf ball could be heard in the quiet from 75 feet away.

Finally, when finished, Woods doffed his hat and raised it above his head as an ovation erupted all around him. He smiled.

Tiger Woods, Fred Couples and Justin Thomas walk the second fairway on Tuesday.

This is not a moment in women’s basketball. It’s momentum.

By TALYA MINSBERG

Get ready for the declarations. This will be called a moment in women’s basketball, a turning point in the college game. There will be sweeping conclusions: Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, two of college basketball’s biggest stars, have changed the game. Yes, women play a really good game, but they have for quite some time. Welcome to the party.

This is not a moment. This is momentum.

“We bring the show,” Flau’jae Johnson, a Louisiana State guard, said Sunday while wearing a national championship hat.

These women, part of an increasingly deep pool of talent, are attracting new investments (thanks to name, image and likeness deals) and large numbers of viewers to the sport.

The American Airlines Center in Dallas hosted a capacity crowd of more than 19,000 fans for the NCAA Tournament women’s final, a game that set a ratings record for the event with an average 9.9 million viewers on ESPN.

The performances they witnessed were phenomenal, but they weren’t particularly groundbreaking. Clark, Iowa’s star guard and the national player of the year, has been called a generational player, even by Kim Mulkey, Louisiana State’s coach, whose team beat Iowa for the championship Sunday.

But there were exceptional talents not so long before her: Sheryl Swoopes, Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, Candace Parker, Brittney Griner, Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu. Clark, as her inspiration, points to Maya Moore, who led UConn to a 150-4 record from 2007 to 2011 and has a collection of Olympic, NCAA and WNBA titles.

Clark spent her season putting on a shooting clinic and dazzling fans with her long-range accuracy. In the round of 8, against Louisville, she finished with 41 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists, the first 40-point triple-double in a Division I NCAA Tournament game, men’s or women’s. Reese, Louisiana State’s rebounding dynamo, set the Division I record for most double-doubles in a single season when she got her 34th on Sunday in the title game.

After the game, discussion in the locker rooms and on social media cen-

tered on trash-talk and foul calls.

Clark and Reese, two of the (rightfully) most confident players on a court, were expected to trade barbs. But when Reese waved her hand in front of her face — mimicking what Clark had done in that round-of-8 game against Louisville, as if to say, “You can’t see me” — and then pointed at her ring finger, a conversation erupted about sportsmanship.

Would a similar moment have attracted the same level of attention in the men’s game? Earlier in the men’s tournament, Florida Atlantic’s Alijah Martin was called “classless” after dunking in the waning seconds of his team’s win over No. 16-seeded Fairleigh Dickinson. But the moment passed quickly.

Perhaps this controversy will subside quickly as well. The unwritten rules about how female athletes — especially Black athletes — are allowed to express themselves on the court are being challenged anew by this generation of players.

“I don’t fit the narrative,” Reese said. “I don’t fit in a box that y’all want me to be in. I’m too hood. I’m too ghetto. But when other people do it, y’all say nothing. So this was for the girls that look like me, that’s going to speak up on what they believe in. It’s unapologetically you. That’s what I did it for tonight. It was bigger than me tonight.”

The millions who watched the championship game saw the talent of Reese and Clark on full display. They also saw the breadth and depth of tal-

ent at the collegiate level. Neither Iowa nor LSU had won a women’s basketball national title. In years past, only the top schools seemed able to attract the top basketball talent. This year, dynasties were shaken to their core.

In the second round, Stanford, a No. 1 seed, was taken down by No. 8-seeded Mississippi. On the Hoosiers’ home court, Indiana, also a No. 1 seed, lost to ninth-seeded Miami. Miami went on to upset No. 4-seeded Villanova, led by its star forward, Maddy Siegrist, whose early exit from the tournament led to her declaring for the WNBA draft. In the round of 16, the run of the dynastic UConn team came to an unceremonious halt against No. 3-seeded Ohio State.

Even with the sting of the loss, Stanford player Haley Jones seemed to see what was happening around her. “It’s definitely growth for the women’s game,” she said.

The depth of talent is so great that many of the best players in college basketball will have no roster spots waiting for them in the WNBA, which has long been in talks of expansion.

After falling to LSU, Monika Czinano, a center who was pivotal to Iowa’s advancement to the championship game, discussed playing professionally abroad — not in the United States. She was already planning to set alarms to watch next season’s tournament. There are only 144 spots in the WNBA, and only 36 players are drafted each year.

And now that college athletes are

allowed to earn money through NIL deals, top collegians are sticking around longer and are more visible. Jones and Clark have Nike contracts, and Reese has been signed by more than a dozen brands, including Coach.

But for as much as the sport is growing, the question, or perhaps the responsibility, of that evolution is no longer falling so heavily on the players. Maybe it’s because that growth is evident. Maybe it’s because there has been a shift from treating women’s basketball as if it were a cause instead of a sport.

“It’s almost laughable to think about when I was playing or, you know, even when I started out coaching this game, like nobody cared about women’s basketball,” Iowa coach Lisa Bluder said as members of the news media hung on her every word.

Despite the flood of attention on women’s basketball this weekend, the fight for recognition, and for equity, is far from over.

The spending gap between the men’s and women’s tournament remains, even if it has narrowed. Right now, women’s basketball is broadcast as part of a $34 million bundle that includes other NCAA sports. If rights to the women’s basketball tournament were sold separately, they would be worth at least $85 million a year, according to a report after an inquiry commissioned by the NCAA. The association’s new president, Charlie Baker, suggested Sunday that women’s basketball could get its own deal when the rights are renegotiated; the current contract is up in 2024.

Fans are letting their wallets do the talking until the NCAA catches up.

“Taylor Swift’s in town, and we still sold this place out,” Mulkey said. Thirty minutes before the championship game, the cheapest tickets available were more than $500. The 2023 women’s tournament attracted the most fans in its history, with 357,542 fans.

There are no more arguments that need to be made for women’s basketball. There never were.

And if you didn’t watch this year’s tournament?

“You missing out,” Louisiana State’s Johnson said. “The rest of the country is. What are you doing?”

Flau’jae Johnson and her Louisiana State teammates after winning the Division I women’s basketball national championship.

Sudoku

How to Play:

Fill in the empty fields with the numbers from 1 through 9.

Sudoku Rules:

Every row must contain the numbers from 1 through 9

Every column must contain the numbers from 1 through 9

Every 3x3 square must contain the numbers from 1 through 9

Crossword

Answers on page 30

Wordsearch

Aries (Mar 21-April 20)

If you’re fired up about an idea, then it could be hard work to get it off the ground. And yet you might welcome this, if the result is something you’ve been visualising for some time. Don’t let your resolve melt away too soon. Mercury’s positive tie with prudent Saturn, encourages you to channel your imagination in a way that enables your brightest dreams to come true, Aries.

Taurus (April 21-May 21)

Try talking someone out of a decision, and you may find they dig their heels in even further. The harder you push, the more stubborn they might be. Don’t go there, as doing so could make things tense rather than constructive. Instead, try to turn any conversations to your advantage. There is a way if you look for it. Even so, it may involve building a case that they simply can’t resist.

Gemini (May 22-June 21)

A part of you is excited, and ready to explore new ideas and options. Yet the current line-up suggests you could be getting in your own way and sabotaging your efforts. Just as you are about to take a leap of faith, the old thinking may rise to the surface to test your resolve. If a wonderful opportunity is on the horizon, be prepared to push through any discomfort Gemini, and go for it!

Cancer (June 22-July 23)

Thoughts of how you might get someone to change their mind could be something you’re wrestling with. Much as you may want to resolve this issue, you are unlikely to get very far if they are unwilling to cooperate. But time can be a great healer. What seems so urgent now might appear less so by the weekend, and may not even register after that. For now, just let it go!

Leo (July 24-Aug 23)

On the brink of an opportunity or project you’ve been thinking about? You may be in the frustrating position of having other commitments that are taking too much time, leaving you little chance to do anything about it. You can do something though. If you negotiate some leeway or delegate key tasks, it might give you the toehold you need to go for it, and enjoy the outcome.

Virgo (Aug 24-Sep 23)

To get ahead Virgo, you need to consider that nothing is written in stone, even if it seems to be just now. The thought of being stuck is just that, a thought, and if you refuse to identify with such thinking and allow your instincts to take over, you can find a way through. If you want a different result, then you need to do things differently to find the satisfaction you’re seeking.

Libra (Sep 24-Oct 23)

Want something or someone so much, you can’t get this desire out of your mind? The more you crave it, the less likelihood there is of being satisfied. Relaxing your grip and going with the flow could be the better option. If you can be happy whether you have it or not, then the coming days may be so much easier. There is a chance that if you did get it, you might regret your decision.

Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)

Your ideas might seem great to you, but to a partner or family member they may not. It could require give and take before anything is agreed. Much as you can want your own way, getting it might be exhausting if no one is willing to give in. If this has to do with something important, then it would be wise to let it rest for now Scorpio, as better options may soon be on the table.

Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)

You may be ready to put a great deal of effort into a task. Which is fine, as long as you don’t pile too much on your plate. If you are juggling commitments or deadlines, then things could get stressful if you are trying to please everyone. Admit to yourself that you are not someone with superpowers. There is only so much you can do in a day, so be kind to yourself and go easy.

Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 20)

A desire to save can conflict with an urge to invest in ideas that could be an exciting step forward. There may be so much you want to explore and experiment with, but the cost might be off-putting. Don’t abandon your dreams altogether. If you plan well, then you can make gradual strides forward, Capricorn. And over the coming months, you’ll be pleased with your progress.

Aquarius (Jan 21-Feb 19)

Put your best foot forward moneywise, and you may be able to snap up a bargain. A focus on your home zone makes this a good time to get repairs done, purchase items to replace those that are wearing out and generally get your place shipshape. With a little research you could save a packet, Aquarius. And if you’re ready to go with less popular brands, that might ease expenses too.

Pisces (Feb 20-Mar 20)

Finding it hard to get through to someone? Try not to take it personally. With a frustrating focus lingering on though, you could become quite impatient. Does this person need some leeway and sympathy? Reaching out to them may seem difficult when you feel like this, but it might be the best thing you do, Pisces. Perhaps all they need is more time to decide what’s best for them.

Speed Bump