Cartismo Seeks to Amend Transparency Law, Granting Comptroller More Power to Fine Enemies

A new legislative proposal in Paraguay seeks to significantly enhance the powers of the Comptroller General's Office (CGR). Senators from the ruling Colorado Party, including Senate President Basilio "Bachi" Núñez and Natalicio Chase, introduced a bill that would allow the Comptroller to more effectively fine and collect penalties from public entities that fail to comply with transparency laws.

The proposed modifications target Law 5189/2014, which mandates the monthly publication of public servant salaries. According to the proponents, the current law, while imposing fines for non-compliance, lacks an effective mechanism for actual collection. The bill aims to rectify this by granting the CGR the authority to pursue judicial action to collect these fines, treating non-compliance as a basis for executive judgment.

However, the initiative has sparked controversy and raised concerns among opposition figures and observers. Questions have been raised about whether the bill is intended as a political weapon, potentially enabling the Comptroller to target political adversaries under the guise of enforcing transparency. The debate centers on whether this move could lead to the "garrote político" (political cudgel) or persist with the alleged "puenteo" (circumvention) of the Court of Accounts, suggesting a potential for abuse of power.