Controversy in Ethics Committee over proposal to include external members

The Ethics Committee of Parliament is in the midst of controversy following the proposal by the president of said group, Diego Bazán, to include external individuals in an attempt to prevent shielding of parliamentarians accused of various ethical violations. This measure has sparked debate and scrutiny, especially after it was revealed that the records of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers do not show Dina Boluarte's participation in the Council of Ministers meetings. During the Ethics Committee session last Monday, it was decided to open a preliminary investigation into congresswoman Kelly Portalatino, triggering a series of criticisms and accusations towards Bazán's management of this working group. Bazán has expressed his intention to present a bill to reform the Ethics Committee and include outsiders to Congress as part of this body, aiming for greater transparency and objectivity in the investigation and sanction processes. One of the most contentious points in this discussion is that the Ethics Committee, under Bazán's leadership, has been accused of shielding congressmen involved in "ghost pay" cases. The lack of strong sanctions and the perception of impunity have caused discomfort in public opinion and have called into question the Parliament's self-regulation capacity on ethical matters. Bazán's proposal to integrate external figures into the Ethics Committee is not new in Congress. In previous years, initiatives in this direction have been presented, seeking to ensure greater impartiality in the investigation and sanction processes. However, resistance and internal political dynamics have prevented these proposals from materializing, highlighting the limitations of the current system. Former congressman Alberto de Belaunde, who has advocated for reforms in the Ethics Committee, believes that Bazán's proposal is a step in the right direction but insufficient. De Belaunde argues that the final sanction should be established by the full Congress to avoid possible shielding and ensure accountability of parliamentarians to the public. On the other hand, Fabiola Morales, former president of the Ethics Committee, disagrees with the proposal to include external figures in said body. Morales believes that the competence to sanction parliamentarians for ethical violations should rest with the congressmen themselves, as long as they act in accordance with the principles of the Parliamentary Code of Ethics. Lawyer Alejandro Rospigliosi, an expert in parliamentary law, has emphasized the need for changes in the Ethics Committee to prevent shielding of congressmen. Rospigliosi argues that modifying the composition of the committee could contribute to a more transparent and fair scenario, away from impunity and political favors. Amidst this debate, decisions of the Ethics Committee presided over by Bazán have been questioned, especially in cases where complaints against parliamentarians have been dismissed, such as in the case of the President of Congress, Alejandro Soto. The lack of strong sanctions and the perception of lack of transparency have generated mistrust in the work of this body and have raised doubts about Parliament's ability to self-regulate. In this context, Bazán's proposal to reform the Ethics Committee by including external figures is seen as an attempt to improve the image and effectiveness of this working group. However, internal resistances and political dynamics could hinder this initiative, leaving the question mark open about the future of parliamentary ethics in the country.