TCU will investigate abuse of power in the creation of the PEC of billions

The TCU (Union Court of Auditors) determined the opening of an investigation to assess whether there was abuse of political and/or economic power over the PEC (proposed amendment to the Constitution) that creates and expands a series of social benefits or programs three months after the elections.

The request for an investigation was made by prosecutor Lucas Furtado, of the Public Ministry with the TCU, and the investigation will be conducted by Minister Aroldo Cedraz. For Furtado, the creation of a state of emergency is a “subterfuge” for the government to expand social programs and “escape the shackles of the electoral law”.

“I agree that the situation of the Brazilian population is worthy of attention and that the benefits sought by the PEC are important for a large part of the population. But the question is, why wait on the eve of the elections for the government to seek to alleviate the suffering of the population that only increased during the current presidential administration?”, questioned the prosecutor.

The MP’s representative at the TCU said he considered the Proposed Amendment to the Constitution “blatantly unconstitutional” and argues that the TCU should examine the compatibility of management acts with the spending ceiling and the Fiscal Responsibility Law.

Among the prosecutor’s requests, he wants the government to carry out studies and disclose how many people or families will benefit from the programs so that the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) can assess whether there was any abuse of political and/or economic power in the elections.

Sought, the AGU (Advocacy-General of the Union) did not respond until the publication of this text.

The PEC, which has already passed the Senate and is in the Chamber, provides for a readjustment of the Auxílio Brasil by R$ 200, in addition to increasing the Auxílio Gás to an amount equivalent to 1 cylinder of gas per two months, and no longer half a cylinder. It also provides for assistance to autonomous cargo carriers (TAC) of R$ 1,000 per month and assistance to taxi drivers, to be regulated by the Executive Power.

PEC Kamikaze | Main measures

BRAZIL AID WILL INCREASE TO BRL 600

• Expansion from R$ 400 to R$ 600 this year and the government promises to eliminate the queue
• The total cost is BRL 26 billion

TRUCKERS WILL HAVE ASSISTANCE OF BRL 1,000

• Benefit of BRL 1,000 will be paid to self-employed truck drivers registered with ANTT (National Land Transport Agency) until May 31
• The cost is BRL 5.4 billion

GAS ALLOWANCE OF BRL 120

• The amount of the benefit paid every two months will double, to about R$ 120 per bimester
• Currently, the benefit is 50% of the average value of the 13 kg cylinder (considering the average of the last six months)
• The cost of the measure is R$ 1.05 billion

MONEY FOR FREE TRANSPORTATION FOR THE ELDERLY

• Authorize the transfer of funds to guarantee free access to the elderly in municipal and intercity public transport in metropolitan regions. Gratuity, provided for by law, is already in effect today
• The cost of the measure is R$ 2.5 billion

TRANSFER OF FUNDS TO THE ETHANOL SECTOR

• Transfer to states to compensate for cuts in tax rates on ethanol and maintain the competitiveness of the fuel compared to gasoline
• The cost of the measure is BRL 3.8 billion

STATE OF EMERGENCY DECREE

• Enables the payment of new benefits, such as assistance for truck drivers, even in an election year
• State of emergency aims to protect the government in cases of legal challenges for violating electoral legislation.