Vice President of the Republic Ana Helena Chacón is benefiting from the exclusive-dedication incentive without being associated to the College of Political Sciences and International Relations.
According to Gobierno Abierto website, Chacón’s base salary on January 30th, 2017 was ¢ 1,010,482 and she received an incentive of ¢ 656,813.5.
Chacón admitted that she is not part of the College, but she stated that she doesn’t need to be because she has a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations and to receive the incentive, the Attorney General has informed that it is not necessary to be associated.
However, on November 18th, 2016, the Attorney General’s office clearly indicated that according to our administrative jurisprudence on the exclusive-dedication incentive, contained in articles 14 and 15 of Law 8422 (Law Against Corruption and Illegal Enrichment), it only includes those public servants that have an academic degree that accredits them as professionals, and who are qualified to practice their profession by joining their respective professional college, when appropriate.
According to the Organic Law of the College of Professionals in Political Sciences, the professions may be practiced by national or foreign associate members.
However, minister of Communication Mauricio Herrera said that in Chacón’s case, she is not required to have a degree to practice her profession.