Minister of Infrastructure João Galamba is being heard this Thursday in the Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry (CPI) of TAP in connection with the rehabilitation of Christine Urmier-Widener, the company’s former executive president, the preparatory meeting they held in January and the dismissal of deputy Frederico Pineiro.
On Wednesday, Frederico Pinheiro and Chief of Staff Eugenia Correia Cabasu were heard in the commission. Frederico Pinheiro accused the Ministry of Infrastructure of trying to hide the documents requested by the commission and ensured that it never left out information for policy decisions.
The former MP also stated that he was “threatened by the SIS” and that “the prime minister wounded and slandered” Joao Galamba as well, and ensured that he did not attack anyone. At the end of the parliamentary commission of inquiry, Federico Pinheiro handed over his mobile phone to the CPI, which was later handed over to the judicial police.
Andre Ventura has submitted a request for video surveillance images from the Ministry of Infrastructure, which will be discussed and voted on this Thursday.
Joao Galamba’s chief of staff was heard after hearing the case of Federico Pinheiro and denied the words of the former deputy, admitting that Federico Pinheiro attacked her. Eugenia Correia Cabasu also stated that “there was never any intention to hide the existence of banknotes”.
in a minute
Updated May 18, 2023 | 19:44
“We didn’t talk about any manipulation and cover-up in Parliament,” Joao Galamba says of a meeting with the former TAP CEO.
Deputy Bruno Aragao of the Socialist Party begins his speech. Questions about alleged pressure on the pay committee.
“It is difficult to put pressure on an opinion that is unknown,” says Joao Galamba.
Asked about a meeting with former TAP CEO on January 16, Joao Galamba confirms the meeting and says it was requested by him.
“Getting together is typical,” asks Bruno Aragao.
“Yes, I really think it’s a duty. […] I think this is completely normal. What would be abnormal is that I did not meet with the CEO,” Galamba repeats.
“What questions did you raise,” continues the MP from the Socialist Party.
“We did not talk about any manipulations and cover-ups in Parliament,” Joao Galamba assures.
When asked who asked the former CEO to attend the January 17th meeting, João Galamba replies that “either at the meeting on the 16th or later when participating in the meeting on the 17th” it was Frederico Pinheiro, briefing the head of staff.
The salary of the new CEO of TAP is the same as the previous one
Joao Galamba claims that the salary of the new TAP CEO is the same as the previous one.
“I haven’t had time to deal with this problem yet. I only know that this problem was and that it will be related to the opinion on wages. This is what I know,” he says.
Joao Galamba says he does not remember if he spoke about SIS with the Minister of Justice.
The Minister of Infrastructure continues to answer questions from Pedro Soares Dias.
Joao Galamba says he does not remember if he spoke about SIS with the Minister of Justice.
“I don’t even remember if I was talking about SIS or SIRP. In any case, they called with a request to connect me with the judicial police,” he says.
“I contacted my colleagues in the government who oversee PSP and PJ, that’s all, I don’t remember if I was talking about SIS or SIRP.”
Minister Joao Galamba says he has no idea who ordered the closure of the Infrastructure Ministry.
An MP from the Left Bloc asks who ordered the closure of the Ministry of Infrastructure.
Joao Galamba replies that he doesn’t have a “little idea” because he was at home.
Pedro Filipe Soares insists and refers to statements made by the chief of staff on Wednesday at the commission of inquiry.
The Minister of Infrastructure claims that there are five witnesses and that he is not one of them. He had just received a phone call from his distraught chief of staff reporting the attacks.
“I am concerned about the allegations made by several witnesses, which is aggression,” Joao Galamba assures.
“What I can’t get out of my head is a phone call from a beaten man. It worries me,” he says.
“I didn’t lie to the country,” João Galamba guarantees about the preparatory meetings with the former CEO of TAP.
Bloco de Esquerda MP Pedro Filipe Soares starts by saying that Joao Galamba should no longer be a minister and accuses him of lying to the CPI.
The MP asks if Joao Galamba missed the commission’s information and if he lied about the meeting between the CEO.
Joao Galamba says he does not understand the question and the MP repeats it.
The Minister of Infrastructure refers to the first statement he made.
“I did not lie to the country. The communique was 100% correct. If you want to clarify where the lie is, I will be happy to answer,” says Galamba.
“What I said in the communique remains valid. The meeting went well. Like other meetings in which the deputy participated. These meetings are normal. They have always been,” he assures.
“I have been informed of Mrs. Christine’s will. [ex-CEO] to attend the meeting. Who asks me, or rather, tells my former assistant that he wants to participate in the meeting. And they asked me, they told me that she wanted to attend the meeting, and I said yes, ”he adds.
“I understand that I have fulfilled my duty by taking part in this meeting. I understand that I did not fulfill my duty if I did not fulfill the urgent request of the TAP CEO,” continues Joao Galamba.
“I had nothing to say about the Alexandra Reis affair with the CEO of TAP. I had nothing to manipulate or say on this subject, ”he claims.
The deputy from Bloco de Esquerda continues to insist: “He says he did not lie, this is a way of seeing reality, this is the wrong way.”
“If I wanted to hide it from the country, I would not tell the country. I do not agree with the deputy. There were no lies. Guaranteed by Galamba.
“At the meeting on the 16th, the CEO of TAP was very nervous. If I went to the preparatory meeting, there could be some preparation,” he says.
Galamba denies that there was pressure from the ministry over the resignation of the chairman of the salary committee
The Deputy PKP continues the questions. The Chairman of the Compensation Committee has resigned.
Joao Galamba claims to have learned about the dismissal at dawn.
The infrastructure minister quoted Saturday that he said it was due to pressure from the ministry. “I categorically deny that there was any pressure from the Ministry of Infrastructure. There was no contact,” he says.
“The government is implementing a restructuring plan,” Galamba says of TAP’s privatization.
PCP MP Bruno Dias questions Joao Galamba about the TAP privatization process.
“Isn’t it time to recognize that TAP exists only as long as it is a public company,” asks Bruno Diaz.
“So stop at the privatization processes,” he adds.
Joao Galamba thanks you for “asking him questions about TAP”. Past privatizations […] were a patchwork of unreliable partners and unsustainable business models.”
“What the government is doing is implementing the restructuring plan. Resolution of the Council of Ministers, where they seek to evaluate the TAR. And then a decree-law will be published, where privatization will be formalized,” he guarantees.
Joao Galamba has no initial testimony
Infrastructure Minister Joao Galamba does not have an initial statement, unlike Frederico Pinheiro in a commission of inquiry on Wednesday.
The Commission of Inquiry requests CCTV footage from the Ministry on April 26.
The TAP Commission of Inquiry decided this Thursday to request images of the video surveillance system of the Ministry of Infrastructures on the night of April 26, in which the aggressions took place between members of the Cabinet of Minister João Galamba.
The request was made by Chega through an application approved by the PS and PCP withholding.
Before the Infrastructure Minister João Galamba’s hearing, three requests were approved with requests from BE and Chega.
In the case of Chega, an application for a “request for images from a video surveillance system on the territory of the Ministry of Infrastructure on the night of April 26” was approved, in which the PS and the PKP abstained and voted in favor of the other parties.
Although the application was approved, the PS made it clear that it was “clearly a criminal case” and the PCP stated that “this has nothing to do with TAP management, but other types of problems.”
According to the approved text, the chairman of the investigative commission of the TAP is invited to “take the necessary measures to order the conservation of the above video surveillance images, the legal storage period of which is coming to an end.”
“The necessary measures are being taken to ensure that said images are sent to this CPI, as well as medical reports that exist as a result of the alleged attacks that took place, and police reports obtained from contacts made by alleged victims,” the same text adds.
In the statement, Chega mentions that at the hearing of João Galamba’s rehabilitated deputy Frederico Pinheiro, “he stated that he was attacked by four employees of the ministry on the night of April 26, when he tried to leave the premises with a laptop that was entrusted to him.”
“In turn, when the hearing was still ongoing, the people against whom Federico Pinheiro spoke in his statements issued a statement noting that he had given false evidence because he could have attacked some employees, including one of them in that morning they went to the emergency medical service, ”he objects.
Two requests from BE were also approved, with Ernst&Young requesting a preliminary or final version, as well as all supporting documents regarding the audit of awards and remunerations requested by TAP, as well as Parpública and the Ministry of Finance “transition folder issued by Parpública when the XXI Constitutional Government enters into job title”.
Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry begins
Infrastructure Minister Joao Galamba enters the Parliament Hall to answer questions from deputies.
Author: morning Post
Source: CM Jornal
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