EXHIBIT A

CERTIFICATION OF A.J. BENNAZAR-ZEQUEIRA

Case:17-03283-LTS Doc#:2743-1 Filed:03/19/18 Entered:03/19/18 19:15:35 Desc:

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE DISTRICT OF PUERTO RICO

In re:

THE FINANCIAL OVERSIGHT AND 

MANAGEMENT BOARD FOR PUERTO 

RICO,

as representative of

THE COMMONWEALTH OF PUERTO RICO, 

et al.

Debtors.1

PROMESA

Title III

No. 17 BK 3283-LTS 

(Jointly Administered)

VERIFIED CERTIFICATION OF A.J. BENNAZAR-ZEQUEIRA

IN SUPPORT OF THE SECOND APPLICATION OF BENNAZAR, 

GARCÍA & MILIÁN, C.S.P. FOR ALLOWANCE OF COMPENSATION 

FOR SERVICES RENDERED AND REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES 

INCURRED AS ATTORNEYS TO THE OFFICIAL COMMITTEE OF 

RETIRED EMPLOYEES OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF PUERTO 

RICO FROM OCTOBER 1, 2017 THROUGH JANUARY 31, 2018

I, A.J. Bennazar-Zequeira, have the responsibility for ensuring that the Second Application 

of Bennazar, García & Milián, C.S.P. for Allowance of Compensation for Services Rendered and 

Reimbursement of Expenses Incurred As Attorneys to The Official Committee of Retired 

Employees of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico From October 1, 2017 through January 31, 2018 

 1

The Debtors in these jointly-administered PROMESA title III cases, along with each Debtor’s respective 

title III case number listed as a bankruptcy case number due to software limitations and the last four (4) 

digits of each Debtor’s federal tax identification number, as applicable, are: (i) Commonwealth of Puerto 

Rico (Bankruptcy Case No. 17 BK 3283-LTS) (Last Four Digits of Federal Tax ID: 3481); (ii) Puerto Rico 

Sales Tax Financing Corporation (Bankruptcy Case No. 17 BK 3284) (Last Four Digits of Federal Tax ID: 

8474); (iii) Puerto Rico Highways and Transportation Authority (Bankruptcy Case No. 17 BK 3567-LTS) 

(Last Four Digits of Federal Tax ID: 3808); (iv) Employees Retirement System of the Government of the 

Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (Bankruptcy Case No. 17 BK 3566-LTS) (Last Four Digits of Federal Tax 

ID: 9686); and (v) Puerto Rico Electric and Power Authority (Bankruptcy Case No. 17 BK 4780) (Last 

Four Digits of Federal Tax ID: 3747).

Case:17-03283-LTS Doc#:2743-1 Filed:03/19/18 Entered:03/19/18 19:15:35 Desc:

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(the “Application”) complies with applicable provisions of PROMESA, the Bankruptcy Rules, 

the Local Rules, the Retention Order, the Interim Compensation Order, and the UST Guidelines.2 

I hereby certify the following:

84. I am a partner in the firm of Bennazar, García & Milián, C.S.P. (“Bennazar”), and 

have been duly admitted to practice law in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

85. I am the lead attorney from Bennazar representing the Retiree Committee in 

connection with the above-captioned Title III Cases. I am authorized to submit this Certification 

in support of the Application. Except as otherwise noted, I have personal knowledge of the matters 

set forth herein.

86. I have read the Application. The statements contained in the Application are true 

and correct according to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief.

87. To the best of my knowledge, information, and belief, formed after reasonable 

inquiry, the fees and disbursements sought in the Application are permissible under PROMESA, 

the Bankruptcy Rules, the Local Rules, orders of this Court, and the UST Guidelines.

88. The fees and disbursements sought in the Application are billed at rates Bennazar 

employs and other Bennazar clients accept in matters of this nature.

89. None of the professionals seeking compensation varied their hourly rate based on 

their geographic location.

90. Bennazar is not seeking compensation for this Interim Period for time spent 

reviewing or revising time records or preparing, reviewing, or revising invoices.

91. Bennazar does not make a profit on costs or expenses for which it seeks 

reimbursement, whether the service is performed by Bennazar in-house or through a third party.

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All capitalized terms have the meaning provided in the Application unless otherwise defined herein. 

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92. In accordance with Rule 2016(a) of the Bankruptcy Rules and 11 U.S.C. § 504, no 

agreement or understanding exists between Bennazar and any other person for the sharing of 

compensation to be received in connection with the above cases except as authorized by 

PROMESA, the Bankruptcy Rules, and the Local Rules.

93. All services for which Bennazar seeks compensation were professional services 

rendered to the Retiree Committee and not on behalf of any other person.

I certify under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct to the best of my 

knowledge, information, and belief formed after reasonable inquiry.

Executed on March 19, 2018

 /s/ A.J. Bennazar-Zequeira

A.J. Bennazar-Zequeira

Case:17-03283-LTS Doc#:2743-1 Filed:03/19/18 Entered:03/19/18 19:15:35 Desc:

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