Senate calls for respect for "presumption of innocence" of parliamentarians investigated in Junaeb case

Chile's Senate has publicly urged that the "guarantees and the presumption of innocence" be upheld for two senators currently under investigation. Senators Sergio Gahona of the UDI party and Miguel Ángel Calisto, an independent, are facing scrutiny from the Public Prosecutor's Office of High Complexity Oriente and the Investigations Police (PDI). Their offices within Congress were recently searched as part of a new phase of the investigation into alleged corruption within the Junaeb program. The inquiry focuses on potential bribery and kickbacks linked to contracts awarded to the company Soser S.A. for the School Feeding Program (PAE) in the O'Higgins Region. In a public statement, the Senate reaffirmed its commitment to probity, transparency, and the proper use of public funds, principles it deems essential for the functioning of the Republic's institutions and public trust. This statement comes as the Director of Junaeb has provided the Prosecutor's Office with background information regarding meals not delivered in 2022 and 2023.