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Cartistas and satellites trample Constitution, grant permit to questioned Rivas
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Elections & Politics

Cartistas and satellites trample Constitution, grant permit to questioned Rivas

From ABC Color · (1d ago) Spanish Critical tone

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Paraguay's Senate approved a temporary, unconstitutional permit for Senator Hernán Rivas to be absent from his duties.
  • The decision, made by a majority vote, follows a scandal regarding Rivas's alleged fraudulent law degree.
  • Opposition senators and critics argue the move sets a dangerous precedent and undermines the rule of law.

The Paraguayan Senate's decision to grant Senator Hernán Rivas a temporary leave of absence, despite clear constitutional objections, is a deeply troubling development that strikes at the heart of our legal and ethical standards. The approval, secured through a coalition of ruling party members and allied senators, overrides fundamental principles for the sake of protecting a colleague embroiled in a scandal over his academic qualifications.

The Senate finally approved the request for temporary and unconstitutional permission for senator Hernán Rivas (ANR, HC) to be absent from his seat following the scandal over his alleged fraudulent law degree.

Describing the Senate's controversial decision.

This is not merely a procedural matter; it is a blatant disregard for the Constitution and a dangerous precedent. We have seen similar maneuvers before, such as the leave granted to Senator Erico Galeano amidst his own legal troubles. Such actions foster a culture of impunity and erode public trust in our institutions. The argument that this permit is necessary or justified is a disservice to the citizens who expect their elected officials to uphold the law, not bend it to their will.

The cartismo gathered the votes with the so-called 'dissident colorados': Alfonso Noria, Colym Soroka, Ramón Retamozo, Carlos Núñez and Derlis Osorio.

Detailing the political factions that supported the permit.

From the perspective of ABC Color, which has consistently championed transparency and accountability, this vote is a grave concern. The opposition's arguments, highlighting the unconstitutionality and ethical implications, resonate strongly. Senators like Celeste Amarilla, Rubén Velázquez, Eduardo Nakayama, and Rafael Filizzola have rightly pointed out the 'air of impunity,' the 'grave scandal,' and the potential for 'criminal concert' that such decisions create. The systemic issue of questionable academic credentials among public officials demands rigorous scrutiny, not convenient legislative loopholes.

Senator Celeste Amarilla (PLRA) stated that, beyond the voting result, 'citizenship won today' against cartismo.

— Celeste AmarillaExpressing the opposition's view on the outcome.

This incident is particularly galling because it occurs within the legislative body itself, the very institution meant to safeguard our constitutional order. The justification for Rivas's absence – to address the scandal surrounding his law degree – rings hollow when the process of granting the leave is itself unconstitutional. It sends a demoralizing message that political expediency trumps legal integrity in Paraguay, a message that we, as a nation committed to the rule of law, must reject.

Senator Rubén Velázquez (Yo Creo) assured that there are no constitutional conditions to approve the requested permit.

— Rubén VelázquezArguing against the constitutionality of the permit.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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