Peruvian Senate President: Deputy's Case is Common Crime, Not Official Misconduct
Miguel Torres, the President of the Peruvian Senate, has stated that the case involving Deputy Julián Pérez should be treated as a common crime, not an offense related to his official duties. Torres emphasized that the justice system, including the Public Prosecutor's Office and the Police, must investigate thoroughly and apply the law with full rigor. He believes this situation harms the image of Congress and called for unity among politicians, journalists, and civil society to ensure justice is served.
Torres urged both the political party Juntos por el Perú, to which Deputy Pérez belongs, and his parliamentary group to initiate their own investigations and disciplinary actions if warranted. He expressed confidence that the Ethics Commission, once operational, will review the case. Additionally, Torres addressed the upcoming request for legislative delegation of powers from the Executive branch, anticipating its submission to Congress soon. He expressed hope for broad political support for this request, citing the current challenges of citizen insecurity and the impending threat of the El Niño phenomenon.
The assertion that Deputy Julián Pérez's case constitutes a 'common crime' rather than a 'crime of function' frames the legal and political response. This distinction aims to channel the investigation through standard judicial processes, potentially limiting the scope of congressional oversight and internal party sanctions. Such a framing may seek to mitigate institutional damage to the legislature by segregating the alleged misconduct from official duties. However, it raises questions about the interplay between personal conduct and public office, and how political organizations should respond to allegations against their members, regardless of the specific legal classification. The call for 'closing ranks' could be interpreted as a strategy to manage public perception and maintain institutional solidarity, while the request for legislative delegation of powers highlights the executive's reliance on congressional cooperation amidst national challenges.
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