Valdemar Costa Neto denies having amendment quotas after defending party leaders' influence

Valdemar Costa Neto, the president of Brazil's Liberal Party (PL), has informed the Supreme Federal Tribunal (STF) that he does not possess any quota or legal authority over parliamentary amendments. This assertion comes after he previously stated in an interview that it is a natural part of his role to offer a "national vision" for the party's needs regarding these amendments.

Costa Neto's declaration was submitted in response to an order from Justice Flávio Dino, who is investigating the extent of influence political party leaders have over the allocation of federal funds through parliamentary amendments. The document argues that conversations between party leaders and congress members about amendments do not automatically translate into binding budgetary decisions made by those without direct authority.

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Em todo caso e em toda hipótese referente ao Partido Liberal, o parlamentar não funciona como mero nome interposto: ele assume a responsabilidade institucional de avaliar, adotar, alterar ou rejeitar a sugestão e de submetê-la às instâncias colegiadas competentes.

However, the defense also acknowledged that Costa Neto participates in discussions on the matter. It stated that for the Liberal Party, a parliamentarian does not act as a mere placeholder but assumes institutional responsibility to evaluate, adopt, alter, or reject suggestions before submitting them to the competent collegiate bodies. This official position appears to contradict Costa Neto's earlier public statements.

Justice Flávio Dino had previously ordered Costa Neto to explain whether he or other party leaders have mechanisms to decide the fate of amendments from senators and deputies. Dino noted that Costa Neto's public statements warrant attention, as they could represent a significant development in the ongoing case concerning these fund transfers. This inquiry follows a July 10th determination by Dino to freeze up to R$ 119 million in assets belonging to Costa Neto, after the Federal Police suggested he acted to direct parliamentary amendments despite not holding a seat in Congress.

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É lógico. A função do presidente é cuidar do partido