CORRECTION: The original article stated the pig is 12 months old, when in fact it is 12 weeks old.
(QCOSTARICA) Lighter side of the news – For the first time Casa Presidencial (Government House) will have a mascot: the piglet gifted to President Luis Guillermo Solis by pig farmers protesting outside the central government offices.
The 12-week-old pig was given to the Prez by Valentina Zuñiga, granddaughter of pig farmer, Arnoldo Zuñiga, of Cartago, who along with hundreds of pig farmers gathered in protest in front of Casa Presidencial on Tuesday.
Zuñiga said he gave away the pig to Solis so that he understands first hand what it costs to raise and maintain an animal in the country and above all to become aware of the needs of pork producers.
Communications Minister, Mauricio Herrera, explained that the pig is the first mascot at Casa Presidencial and that a pigsty will be built to house the pig in Zapote.
According to Herrera, the pig is named “Daniela”, but a new name will be sought to avoid problems. The minister did not expand on what those problems.
Marvin Carvajal, legal director at Casa Presidencial, was more technical in his explanation of the Law on Illicit Enrichment (Ley de Enriquecimiento Ilícito), saying the President is allowed to receive personal gifts if the value is less or equal to a base salary or up to ¢10 million colones if on behalf of the state. In this case, the gift was duly reported to the Legal Deparment, clearing the president of any possible conflicts with the law.
