P.R. taps new chief Pierluisi named sec’y, then gov, faces opposition

Puerto Rico’s new governor was sworn into office Friday just hours after he was named to a lower-level job that put him first in the line of succession to the territory’s top government post.

Pedro Pierluisi’s ascension was the latest twist in Puerto Rico’s ongoing political turmoil, which led to the resignation of former Gov. Ricardo Rossello (inset left) and a decision by a politician first in the line of succession not to take the job.

Pierluisi, 60, was confirmed earlier Friday as secretary of state by the island’s House of Representatives. That put him next in line to be governor — the job to which he was sworn after Rossello’s resignation took effect at 5 p.m.

His ascension to the top job could face legal challenges.

Pierluisi (inset right) , who was once Puerto Rico’s nonvoting delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives, faced two days of legislative hearings and tough questions over his job at a law firm that represents the federal board overseeing Puerto Rico’s finances.

Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz criticized Rossello for naming Pierluisi with the Senate not in session, and hinted he might challenge his appointment.

“He never regretted anything,” Schatz said of Rossello. “He did not respect the demands of the people. In fact, he mocked them, using new accomplices.”

Rossello, 40, has said that Puerto Rico’s constitution lets him make appointments when a legislative body is in recess.

Rossello announced his resignation last week after days of protests that were triggered by a series of leaked online chats. The messages showed Rossello and several aides exchanging offensive and profanity-laced messages and even mocking their own citizens.

In one message, the governor called former New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito the Spanish word for “wh—e.”

Among the Puerto Rican officials forced to resign over the scandal was Secretary of State Luis Rivera Marin. With that post vacant, Rossello announced that Justice Secretary Wanda Vazquez would replace him.

Vazquez, who is highly unpopular, tweeted on Sunday that she did not want the job.

The Democratic governor then decided to name Pierluisi as secretary of state this week and called for a special session of the territory’s Legislature at which he hoped lawmakers to approve him.