A teacher reported to the Senate Special Commission a scheme that multiplied purchase debts through compulsory salary deductions, involving companies such as Nueva Visión S.A., which issued multiple authorizations for the same product, inflating amounts originally paid by teachers and public employees.
Rafael Filizzola
Pytagua coverage mentioning Rafael Filizzola.
Opposition Senator Rafael Filizzola accuses the Peña administration of a lack of control and impunity in corruption cases, citing as examples the irregular deposit of IPS (the social security institute) funds in Ueno Bank, the alleged leniency towards former Seprelad (Secretariat for Money Laundering Prevention) head Óscar Boidanich, the shelving of complaints regarding Itaipú, and the president's acquittal in an asset investigation.
The director of Paraguay's social security institute, the IPS, admitted that Ueno Bank exceeds the legal limit for the concentration of pension funds, which an opposition senator called "ridiculous" while calling for an investigation. Meanwhile, President Santiago Peña denied any violation and criticized the public disclosure of the case.
Senator Rafael Filizzola demanded explanations from IPS president Isaías Fretes over the transfer of billions of guaranis from the social security fund to Ueno bank, which is linked to a former business partner of President Santiago Peña, following the relaxation of rules that reduced financial security requirements for the institution.
Senator Rafael Filizzola stated that Paraguayan consumers are paying international prices for beef due to the sector's strong export orientation — around 90% of production is destined for the foreign market — and the high market concentration, in which five slaughterhouses account for approximately 85% of the country's beef processing. He voiced support for a bill that proposes capping the profit margin at 10% on three popular beef cuts.
Soledad Núñez, candidate for mayor of Asunción representing the Unidos por Asunción alliance, met with TSJE authorities to denounce "vote stuffing" and demand stricter oversight in the municipal elections on October 4, including manual vote counting for single-member positions and limiting the number of voters per polling station.
The Supreme Court of Justice of Paraguay unblocked the case against former Interior Minister Rafael Filizzola on Wednesday, June 11. Filizzola is accused of causing a financial loss of G. 1,131,812,500 to the State due to alleged breach of trust. The Court ordered the case file to be sent to the Court of Appeals, First Chamber of the Capital, so that its natural sitting members can resolve the pending appeals, ending a composition conflict that had stalled the case for over a decade.
The Paraguayan Senate passed on Tuesday, June 2, the bill declaring a national road safety emergency for one year, authorizing the ANTSV to adopt exceptional measures for the prevention and enforcement of traffic accidents, including the use of automated speed cameras and radar systems, despite opposition criticism over the lack of technical studies and the broad powers granted to the agency.
The lack of quorum at the start of the Senate's regular session forced a new extraordinary session, sparking protests from opposition members who demand sanctions for colleagues who arrive late. Senator Walter Kobilansky proposed fines, but the Senate president stated that the rules do not provide for penalties for tardiness.
The Paraguayan Senate's regular session, scheduled for 9 a.m., lacked a quorum, leading to an extraordinary session with less room for debate. Senator Walter Kobilansky (National Crusade) proposed fines or restrictions for lawmakers who arrive late, while the President of Congress stated that the rules do not provide for financial penalties.
The promissory note mafia, a scam scheme that has lasted two years, remains unpunished. Victims, mostly public employees, denounce judicial delays and new types of scams, such as the sale of promissory notes from closed companies and the non-return of documents after debt settlement. Senators and the mayor of Ciudad del Este met with those affected, but the justice system has not advanced.