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On Wednesday (06/07), Senate President Rodrigo Pacheco read the requirement for the creation of the parliamentary inquiry commissions (CPI) that should investigate allegations of corruption and influence peddling at the Education Ministry (MEC). After the reading of the requirement and its official publication by the Senate on Thursday (07), the commission was officially created, but the installation for its operation depends on the selection of the members by the parties’ leaders. Although created, the commission will only begin its activities after the October elections, according to an agreement signed between Pacheco and party leaders.
The Case
The Education Ministry’s Inquiry Commission seeks to investigate allegations that evangelical pastors, connected to former Education Minister Milton Ribeiro, have intermediated the release of resources from the Ministry to city halls across Brazil. In exchange for the resources, the pastors would have requested bribes. The scandal led to the arrest of Ribeiro and other individuals connected to it. Ribeiro has already been released, but investigations continue.
Other Two Commissions
Besides the Education Ministry’s Inquiry Commission, two additional commissions have been created at the same day. One of them is the commission on Drug Trafficking and Organized Crime, which was proposed by the Government allies. The objective is to investigate drug trafficking in the North and Northeast regions and the activities of criminal organizations inside and outside the prisons. The other is the commission on unfinished public works, which was also proposed by Government allies. It aims to investigate delayed works from previous governments. The creation of the three commissions at the same time was a political solution to meet the demands from the opposition, which was pressing for the CPI of the MEC, and those from government supporters, which are contrary to the commission to investigate the Education Ministry.
An Attack Against a Judge
15th Federal Court of Justice Judge Renato Borelli, who was responsible for the arrest warrant against former Education Minister Milton Ribeiro, was attacked while driving his car on Thursday (07/07) afternoon. The car was hit by animal feces, eggs and dirt. The judge was not hurt. He had his eyesight impaired at the time of the attack because part of the front glass was stained, but he managed to control the car. Shortly after ordering the arrest of Ribeiro and two pastors, Borelli received dozens of threats, most of them online. The National Council of Justice (CNJ) was called to investigate the threats and recommended measures to protect the judge.
