Building BNDES in Rio de Janeiro (Vanderlei Almeida / AFP / SEE)
The CPI investigating the contracts of the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES) approved on Wednesday, more than 30 documents requirements related to the bank's operations with domestic and foreign companies. Two of them, authored by deputies toucans Alexandre Baldy and João Gualberto, refer to relations of former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and the Brazilian construction firm Odebrecht in the works abroad. With the approval of requests, parliamentarians must receive from the Federal Public Ministry (MPF) copies of research records that report suspicions of influence of former President trafficking. The CPI, however, has not yet vote on the convening of the former president to be heard by parliamentarians.
In testimony to the CPI last week, the bank's chairman, Luciano Coutinho, said Lula never interfered in the operations carried out by the development bank. "I can say that Lula's former president never asked or interfere with the BNDES about any specific project," said Coutinho, answering questions from MPs on the actions of the former president at the bank.
Judgment - The president of CPI, Marcos Sergio Rotta (PMDB-AM), also denied on Wednesday the existence of a 'judgment' to postpone the convening of entrepreneurs to provide information to parliamentary business with the bank. According to a report of the newspaper Folha de S. Paulo andValor Econômico, an arrangement made with the blessing of President of the Chamber, Eduardo Cunha, had postponed from day to night, the voting requirements for directors and presidents of companies such as JBS and LBR were questioned by the commission members. According Rotta, Wedge ally, the calls will be made only when the document collection stage is finished. "We are not here in a blind flight. We have a work schedule with a month of actions already set. When we finish this step, it will be impossible not deliberating on the summons," he said.
The speech of the President contrary to what had been said the day before, in deliberative session in the House of Representatives. On Tuesday, the deputies who run the table reach an agreement that would call for some executives, like Wesley Batista, JBS on Wednesday. The sudden change of mind, according to lawmakers, aims to "better basis of investigations" through more documentary evidence, that the CPI is not overturned "by any lawyer." Even as justification, the president of the CPI said that "we need to take responsibility." "With the same caution, respect and consideration that I have been exercising my role as President, I also know the responsibility they carry on their shoulders," he said, referring to the importance of BNDES for the Brazilian economy. "I have to have that responsibility to try to preserve such an important organization," he said.
Soon after, Rotta tore praise for Eduardo Cunha, stating that the mayor has never given any guidance to lawmakers who lead the commission. "Eduardo Cunha is one of the smartest people and prepared with whom I have the chance to live. He knows that we need autonomy. I, president of condition, I can say that we do not suffer any guidance on our work in the CPI," the he said deputy.
