The INSS CPMI rapporteur, deputy Alfredo Gaspar (União-AL), criticized, this Tuesday, in an interview with Tarde Bandnews, with Paula Valdez, the use of judicial authorizations for deponents to remain silent in the Commission.
On Monday, the CPMI session was cancelled. The deputies and senators wanted to hear the testimony of the state deputy for Maranhão Edson Araújo, from PSB, and also from Paulo Camisotti, son and partner of businessman Maurício Camisotti.
Both hearings were canceled for health reasons.
The deputy claimed to have recently undergone surgery and the businessman also presented a medical certificate. In a post on social media, senator Carlos Viana (Podemos-MG), president of CPMI, announced that the testimonies will be rescheduled for a date that respects the medical recommendations of both.
In addition to presenting the medical report, Paulo Camisotti is supported by a habeas corpus granted by Minister Flávio Dino, of the Federal Supreme Court (STF), which guarantees the right to remain silent during the testimony
“I deeply regret the interference of the judiciary in these testimonies. I believe that we are a constitutional body and that we have the right to clarify to the country this billion-dollar theft that affected millions of retirees and pensioners. However, even though they receive judicial authorization to remain silent, it is time to face the truth”, said the rapporteur.
The board is also looking forward to hearing from the owner of Banco Master, Daniel Vorcaro. He is the target of an investigation by the Federal Police on suspicion of irregularities and is expected to testify on February 26. The hearing was rescheduled twice. Initially it was scheduled for February 5th, it was moved to the 19th and now it should happen at the end of this month.
Senator Carlos Viana warns of the possibility of coercive conduct in case of absence.
CPMI wants clarification on 250,000 payroll loan contracts that were suspended by the INSS. The suspension measure occurred due to the lack of documentary evidence that would guarantee that retirees and pensioners had, in fact, agreed to contract the services.
There is an agreement for the testimony to take place, Alfredo Gaspar, did not rule out that there could be another attempt to delay the clarifications.
“I believe that in this gentlemen’s agreement he must appear, but I also don’t doubt anything in this republic. People who follow a path that is not compatible with the law always try to move away from this moment of accountability.”
Alberto Fraga also filed a request to break the banking and tax secrecy of Fábio Luís Lula da Silva, known as Lulinha and son of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
The investigation focuses on Lulinha’s relationship with Antônio Carlos Camilo Antunes, nicknamed “Careca do INSS” and identified as the leader of a scheme that carried out unauthorized associative discounts on pensions.
The name of the president’s son appeared in dialogues monitored by the PF, where Antunes mentions a payment intended “for the boy’s son”, which, for investigators, is a direct reference to Fábio Luís. The suspicion, according to the CPMI rapporteur, is that Lulinha acted as a “hidden partner” in deals financed with money diverted from the INSS.
The CPMI rapporteur said he believes that there is protection for names close to the government.
“What happens is a shielding of certain characters sponsored by the Federal Government. President Lula says one thing in public, but his base determines to shield certain figures.
But a character appeared who clearly has lipstick on his underwear, who is the son of the President of the Republic, Mr. Fábio Luiz. In other words, several armored characters still need to provide clarifications to the commission.”
In addition to the request to break banking and tax secrecy, the opposition is still trying to summon the businessman to testify at the CPMI. On other occasions, the base allied with the government managed to block requests.
In a recent interview with UOL, he revealed that, shortly after the suspicions involving the INSS scheme were revealed, he called his son for a private and decisive conversation. The president emphasized that there will be no privileges if the evidence points to Lulinha’s guilt.
“I looked my son in the eye and said, ‘Only you know the truth. If you have something, you will pay the price of having something. If you don’t have it, defend yourself,'” the president said.
