Mônica Bergamo: Randolfe activates the TCU and questions the BNDES’ haste to transfer resources to the Ministry of Economy

Senator Randolfe Rodrigues (Rede-AP) sent a representation to the Federal Audit Court (TCU) in which he asks that the BNDES (National Bank for Economic and Social Development) be obliged to suspend the movement of a billion dollar amount to comply with an agreement signed with the Ministry of Economy.

The parliamentarian questions the speed given to the operation and also the source of extraction of resources.

The agreement between the bank and the ministry headed by Paulo Guedes involves the payment of a debt of R$ 45 billion to the Union. By negotiation, the amount must be returned by the 30th of this month.

The payment complies with the decision of the TCU, which considered a series of loans made between 2008 and 2015 to federal public banks to be irregular – and, therefore, requested the return.

Since the end of last year, the BNDES had been wrestling with the federal government in an attempt to delay the return of the remaining balance. In September of this year, the court of accounts determined that the bank adhere to a faster schedule for returning the funds.

The BNDES appealed, claiming that faster repayment of the amounts would oblige the institution to raise funds in the market (at a higher interest rate) or to sell shares of companies that are in the portfolio of BNDESPar, the institution’s equity arm.

The reduction of BNDESPar’s share capital prevailed, valued at R$ 40 billion.

For Senator Randolfe Rodrigues, however, the operation in favor of BNDES may present irregularities.

The parliamentarian questions the fact that the agreement made with the Ministry of Economy provides for the transfer of resources later this month, in a period shorter than the 60 days stipulated for the reduction of the share capital.

“The return, whether by normal means or by anticipation, should respect the deadline established for the execution of the public policy”, he says.

The senator also states that the TCU’s decision determined that the return of the amounts should meet legal security criteria, which, according to him, may be disrespected if the operation is confirmed.

“Performing this act, there will be a clear disrespect to the corporate rule, with possible losses for the financial entities involved and for the controller itself, the Federal Union, without any counterpart”, he also says.

According to the senator, the transfer operation can take place between this Friday (11) and next Saturday (12).

HONOR

Singers Zélia Duncan and Cátia de França participated in the delivery of the Milú Villela Award — Itaú Cultural 35 years, held at the Ibirapuera Auditorium, in São Paulo, on Thursday (10). The award celebrates the legacy of personalities and collectives of the Brazilian artistic and cultural scene, and had the photographer Claudia Andujar and the actress Léa Garcia with two of the awardees of the night. Journalist Chico Pinheiro, writer Daniel Munduruku, poet Leda Martins and singer Alzira E were there.

_{with BIANKA VIEIRA, KARINA MATIAS and MANOELLA SMITH}