Defense Day in Congress: Alejandro Soto, Jorge Flores, and Luis Cordero Who Saved John Day? | Ethics Commission | principle

The task force also delayed the case of Jorge Flores Ancachi, who was reported for a reduction in salary, thanks to the vote of the majority of the members of the Commission led by Diego Pazán (Avanza País).

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Many of the legislators who make up the Ethics Commission participated virtually. Alex Paredes, chairman of the executive committee and member of Congress, was the only person present. Assemblyman Hector Velar even joined from his vehicle.

In the case of the President of the Parliament, to prepare the final report of the case, the “Quarto Poder” report published at the beginning of August 2023 was analyzed, which reported that Soto had voted in favor of the so-called ‘drug law’. ‘, which helped him avoid a trial in Cuzco where he had sought a prison sentence of more than eight years for fraud.

The Act amended the Code of Criminal Procedure and changed the period for suspending the statute of limitations for offences. This way, each offense has a specific expiration date. This means that if the accused is not convicted within that period, he is absolved of all offences.

Following slow progress in the case commission, it took almost a month for the Congress leader to begin formal investigation.

According to an analysis by the Ethics Commission’s technical committee, “what was said on Sunday’s show cannot be confirmed.” Likewise, it indicates that the rule was introduced six months before Soto was elected president of Congress. He also claims that Soto was not the author of the said attempt.

Likewise, he insists that Soto, as APP spokesperson, is empowered to support the legislative process of that and other programs with his signature.

He adds that he does not coordinate with the President of the Congress, Flavio Cruz (Peru Libre).

Sotto did not coordinate with the executive branch to promulgate legislation or the judicial branch, so the law was applied to him, paving the way for him to become Speaker of Parliament, the report said. The document concludes that the reason is baseless and archives the folder opened in October.

After supporting the report, neither Congress spoke a word, and the issue was immediately put to a vote. Soto was approved with 13 votes in favor, 1 against and 2 abstentions.

It is noteworthy that when the investigation began at the Ethics Commission, other charges against Soto, including alleged nepotism and using his office staff to promote him on social networks, were set aside.

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And armor

Soto was not the only one spared a sanction. The ethics commission also cleared Luis Cordero and John Day. His case also recorded slow progress, with the task force probing it since April.

Cordero John Day was involved in the efforts of Jorge Hernández Fernández, known as ‘El Español’, to allegedly obtain listening devices to spy on people who opposed then-President Pedro Castillo.

According to the indictment, the legislator traveled to Panama to investigate equipment that ‘absorbed’ Castillo’s opponents, who had hatched the plot.

In the protocol-authorized statement, Cordero says Joan Day did not travel to Panama as a congressional representative, but in her personal capacity and was not obligated to report on her activities. Also, it indicates that several months have passed without any report from the Public Ministry regarding the case. He says they requested this information from the attorney’s office, but received no response.

Carlos Barba Daza, a key witness in the case, was not present at the trial and requested that subpoenas be served through the Public Ministry. However, the prosecutor’s office did not grant permission. Therefore, Cordero’s participation in the alleged espionage network could not be confirmed. He insists that Cordero John Day does not have a tax hearing for this case.

They insist that “sufficient evidence” does not determine that Joan Day breached parliamentary ethics. This is despite a video of the MP being seen at the Panama Fair and WhatsApp conversations showing his participation. Cordero John Day was also a member of the investigative team when he visited the Central American country.

Only three legislators participated in the debate, and they devoted themselves to attacking the press in their interventions. Alex Paredes said, “It has been proven once again that the myth of press reports is not always the path to absolute truth.”

“We know very well the work of communication experts, not the uneducated, they are not divine,” he said.

Paredes asked the press to “apologize for the lawsuit” and that the report should serve as a “guide”. “Media owners have to think they’re wrong, they’re not perfect people.” He noted.

Meanwhile, Jorge Marticorena pointed out that there is no evidence regarding Cordero’s case and that the report reflects the objectivity of the investigation and was not “carried away” by the media.

In turn, Esdras Medina described the report as “objective” and noted that “parts of the magazine put big headlines on its cover”.

A total of 13 votes in favour, 0 against and one abstention.

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In the case of Flores Ancachi, the ethics commission’s report recommends suspending him without pay for 120 days because “he has directly compromised the Republican Congress as an institution by claiming that he has been working irregularly in Congress regarding pay and remuneration. Bonuses received by workers have damaged the image of the parliamentary system” and refer the case to the Public Ministry. .

The investigation against Flores Ancachi began after “Cuarto Poder” aired an audio in which he is heard admitting to cutting part of the salaries of his office workers – 10% of their salaries and 50% of the bonuses they receive.

Ankachi submitted an expert report on his voice to the committee, which said “it cannot be determined whether it is the voice of his parliamentarian or not, as an expert report cannot be made on audio that is not original.

The Ethics Commission’s technical secretary insisted that by apologizing, the APP Congressman had implicitly acknowledged that it was his voice.

Diego Bazan announced that the final report was 5 votes in favor and 6 abstentions, so there was no agreement and it would be put to a vote again.

Flores Ancachi was present at the hearing, denying that he recognized the audios as his voice and insisting that one of his workers had previously denied having paid him. In addition, he again questioned the authenticity of the records.

Waller came out in defense of Flores, accusing the voice of lacking expert opinion. Somos admitted to driving his car to the Peruvian parliament debate.

After the vote, Flores Ancachi said he apologized for the scandal created and did not admit it was his voice. He said the sanction proposed by the protocol was “exaggerated”.