Andina

Peru: Gov't reiterates its stance in defense of autonomous bodies' independence

Photo: ANDINA/Presidency of the Council of Ministers of Peru

Photo: ANDINA/Presidency of the Council of Ministers of Peru

09:08 | Lima, Feb. 27.

Peruvian Prime Minister Alberto Otarola has reaffirmed the Executive Branch's stance in defense of the independence of constitutionally autonomous bodies.

"Since the beginning, the Government expressed its clear stance in defense of the independence of constitutionally autonomous bodies. There is a constellation of bodies that have specific functions of constitutional status at the Constitution," Otarola stated on Monday.

The Cabinet chief referred to the report that proposes disqualifying National Justice Board (JNJ) members, which was approved by Congress' Permanent Commission yesterday.

Moreover, he recognized the power of Congress to begin an investigation of JNJ magistrates and to vote on the report proposed by the Subcommittee on Constitutional Accusations. 

However, the Prime Minister affirmed that, as the Executive Branch, he would have preferred to avoid confrontation between Parliament and the JNJ.

"As the Executive Branch, we would have preferred to avoid this confrontation. However, we will be attentive and will monitor the debate on the matter that will surely take place at Congress' plenary session next week," he said.

On Monday, Congress' Permanent Commission approved, by majority vote, the proposal for removal and 10 years of disqualification of JNJ members, in accordance with the report previously approved by the Subcommittee on Constitutional Accusations.

Public Ministry

Likewise, the head of the Ministerial Cabinet recalled that the Executive Branch has supported Peru's interim Attorney General Juan Carlos Villena, who demanded that constitutional autonomy of the body he represents be respected.

"Let us not forget that the Public Ministry is a body of vital importance, especially to the prosecution of crime and the investigation of truth, for which all public officials have to account," he remarked.

Furthermore, Otarola affirmed that the Government defends, as a constitutional principle, the independence of the Attorney General's Office and the Public Ministry, and defends the independence and supervisory role of Congress over the actions of the Executive Branch.

About the JNJ

The National Justice Board (JNJ) is in charge of appointing, evaluating, confirming, and sanctioning judges, prosecutors, national control authorities of the Public Ministry and the Judiciary, as well as the heads of the National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE) and the National Registry of Identification and Civil Status (RENIEC).

(END) RMCH/RMB/MVB

Publicado: 27/2/2024