Amid the wave of criticism for million-dollar purchases and overpayments to feed members of Congress, the Speaker of Parliament, Jose Williamshanded out an invitation to an event to be held on the occasion of International Women’s Day at 5:00 p.m. On this occasion, guests will be able to enjoy a gala dinner and enjoy a stellar show in which Peruvian paso horses participate and typical dances will be performed.
From the social networks of the Parliament it was indicated that “the event promoted by the Second Vice Presidency is carried out within the framework of the various activities of International Women’s Day and it does not represent any expense for the institution”. However, it is not specified which entity will assume the costs of restoration and artistic presentations.
The invitation went viral on social media just as Williams announced that all those responsible for the Directorate General of Administration of Congress have made their position available due to questioning in recent weeks. Likewise, it was announced that the directors of the areas of logistics, supply and human resources have tendered their resignation as well as Jose Cevascosenior officer of Parliament.
In a press conference given in the morning, Cevasco indicated that his resignation is political, but the president of the Congress tried to specify that it is about “an administrative resignation with political connotation”. “He made his position available. I consider that his departure is appropriate so that better conditions can be given to the investigations of the Comptroller General of the Republic and the Public Ministry,” he said.
Javier Ángeles, a former congressional official, will assume Cevasco’s position. The decision was made this afternoon and they have already fulfilled functions; however, it will be necessary to wait until Monday, March 6, for the Congress administration council to officially appoint him. Williams also announced a joint effort with the Osce so that advice could be provided in future purchases to be made by the legislature.
The delegation of administrative powers from the Congress presidency to the General Directorate of Administration has been a practice that has been going on since 2006, according to former Congress official José Cevasco. This was made known during the press conference during which he announced his departure from office. The event began under the presidency of Mercedes Cabanillas and repeated itself in Luis Iberico, Luis Galarreta and José Williams.
“The presentation of these resolutions is intended to clarify that the President of Congress has at no time delegated administrative powers to the current Director General of Administration who has been working for a month and a half,” Cevasco added. He pointed out that this happened under the direction of Juan Carlos Paz, whom he defended, describing him as “a diligent professional”.
Cevasco’s departure comes just two days after he ruled out this scenario happening. He stressed the importance of remaining in office while the authorities carry out the corresponding investigations concerning the purchase of garages, LED screens, carpets, giant screens and sideboards. Regarding the latter, we know that the offer of this service to parliamentarians has been suspended.
From the board of directors, the third vice-president Alejandro Muñante indicated that “the Congress is the most transparent entity that exists. Here you (journalists) can even walk into the dining room and see what we are eating,” he said. This after the contracts with which the congressmen’s plane tickets were obtained were also called into question. Some would have used it to carry out activities outside of their duties, in particular those who traveled during the Christmas and New Year holidays.