Every elected official must be able to speak English, but this must be mandatory if you are seeking a position in Washington. Not acknowledging it is a shame for Puerto Rico.
Yes, you
must speak English.
Yes,
whoever wants to be Puerto Rico’s Resident Commissioner in Washington must
speak English. That is the language spoken in the federal capital and the least
one expects is that the person representing Puerto Rico knows how to
communicate.
One may add
that it is required by law. The 48 U.S. Code 892 requires
that: “No person shall be eligible to election as Resident Commissioner who is
not a bona fide citizen of the United States and who is not more than
twenty-five years of age, and who does not read and write the English language.
In case of a vacancy in the office of Resident Commissioner by death,
resignation, or otherwise, the governor, by and with the advice and consent of
the senate, shall appoint a Resident Commissioner to fill the vacancy, who
shall serve until the next general election and until his successor is elected
and qualified”. (Mar. 2, 1917, ch. 145, § 36, 39 Stat. 963.)
That's why I find it hypocritical, gross, and ignorant to see comments from pseudo-journalists and analysts defending the shameful spectacle that William Villafañe made yesterday in the TV debate with all the nonsense he said.
