Former Secretary of State for Infrastructure Hugo Mendez is being heard this Wednesday before TAP’s Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry (CPI) to clarify the €500,000 compensation paid to former airline administrator Alexandra Reis.
Recall that former Secretary of State for Infrastructure and former Minister of Infrastructure and Housing Pedro Nuno Santos resigned on January 4 after paying compensation to Alexandra Reis.
This Wednesday morning, CPI President Lacerda Sales summed up the work done during the various meetings.
Lacerda Sales thanked all CPI members for their commitment and commitment to “an intense and in-depth discussion” on TAP governance issues.
“The time has come to calmly await the report and conclusions of this investigation,” he said in brief statements.
in a minute
Updated June 14, 2023 | 18:36
Hugo Mendez did not know about the agreement with Alexandra Reis, only the application
PSD MP Paulo Moniz starts by asking Hugo Mendez when he last spoke to former infrastructure minister Pedro Nuno Santos. Hugo Mendez replies that it was on Tuesday.
Paulo Moniz talks about Hugo Méndez’s initial intervention, says the way he presents himself on the committee is “interesting”, “imitates the style” of former minister Pedro Nuno Santos, and says the former minister will be known as “the greatest illusionist of the Portuguese Republic” .
A PSD MP asks Hugo Mendez about the controversy surrounding the flight that Marcelo Rebelo de Souza was on. “Was it your opinion or the general opinion of the ministry,” he asks.
“I speak for myself, not for anyone else,” says Hugo Mendez.
“Where did this initiative come from?” asks Paulo Moniz.
Hugo Mendez claims he doesn’t know, while Paulo Moniz adds: “Didn’t he try to find out? He thought it was okay.”
“No, I was answering a question asked by the CEO and gave her an unfortunate opinion,” Hugo Mendez replies.
A former secretary of state reports a mobile phone accident in the port of Sines. The mobile phone fell on one of the chairs and bent over.
“See if it is possible to receive reports that may be relevant to the content of this commission of inquiry,” says Paulo Moniz.
In response to several questions asked by PSD MP about the agreement, Hugo Mendez confirms that he learned about the €500,000 compensation for Alexandra Reis on February 2, 2022, as well as the maintenance of health insurance for two years and life insurance until 2024.
“So I knew about the agreement,” says Paulo Moniz.
“This was not in the contract, all this is contained in the appendix“, – he says, referring to Paulo Moniz.
Hugo Mendez’s involvement in the TAP restructuring plan was “intense and deep”.
Socialist Party MP Bruno Aragao questions Hugo Mendes about TAP’s restructuring plan.
Hugo Mendez cites that his involvement with the restructuring plan was “intense and deep“.
“The Minister of Infrastructure believes that it will be difficult for TAP to stand alone in the future,” says Hugo Mendez.
“We built this plan with the future of the company in mind, whether public or private. TAP at the end of 2025 should be a reliable and profitable company,” he says.
“The restructuring plan is cost-benefit-based,” explains Hugo Mendez. In costs, the three most important components are “jet fuel, people and airport taxes”.
When asked about human resources, Hugo Mendez states that “every company has been cutting fleets and personnel.”
Referring to the restructuring plan, the former secretary of state states that “it is mathematically impossible to make a plan without touching the payroll“.
Hugo Mendez: “Legal risks have never risen” regarding Alexandra Reis compensation
Bloco de Esquerda MP Pedro Filipe Soares argues that there are statements that contradict each other and again mentions the topic of compensation in the amount of 500 thousand euros to Alexandra Reis.
“There were two law firms. I didn’t go into the legal details. Legal risks never rose” says Hugo Mendez.
Pedro Filipe Soares asks why the value of Alexandra Reis has not received attention. Hugo Mendez reiterates that “two law firms negotiated and led the process.”
Asked about political responsibility, Hugo Méndez says: “I have already taken political responsibility. I resigned on December 28 and can only resign once.”
Report on Airbus Trusted Funds in 2022
Portuguese Communist Party (PCP) MP Bruno Dias questions Hugo Mendes about when and by whom he was informed about the role of Airbus funds in TAP.
Hugo Mendez does not answer directly, he says that, in addition to what he learned from the media and unions, he was aware of the steps that the financial director took with Airbus. “The report was then sent to the guardianship in 2022.“, he refers.
Since 2015, TAP has paid €40 million to two consultants, BCG and Seabury, according to Bruno Diaz. Hugo Mendez does not know the details of these contracts.
Regarding the compensation paid to Alexandra Reis, Hugo Mendez says he didn’t check, “and he didn’t have to check the legal agreement.”
The PCP initiates a request so that David Nieleman’s documentation can be obtained from TAP.
Hugo Mendez does not know about additional compensation besides Alexandra Reis
Liberal Initiative MP Bernardo Blanco takes the floor and begins by asking Hugo Mendez whether the Ministry of Infrastructure has authorized “any more outgoing payments for administrators.”
Hugo Mendes says no. “We didn’t know anyone else.“, he refers.
Bernardo Blanco cites the example of Fernando Pinto. Hugo Mendes says that became aware of them only when they were made public in the commission of inquiry.
Asked if there were more instances of flight change requests, Hugo Mendez replied that “he no longer has the knowledge”.
About the transition of Alexandra Reis to NAV, Hugo Mendes says that the Ministry of Finance was aware at the beginning of April and that he called João Nun Mendes.
Bernardo Blanco asks Hugo Mendez about Frederico Pineiro.
“I have the best professional opinion of Dr. Federico Pinheiro,” he assures.
“The message from CMVM was not written by us,” guarantees Hugo Mendez.
Andre Ventura goes on and insists on the right to compensation for what is contained in the CMVM statement about the departure of Alexandra Reis due to another professional challenge.
The Chega leader says there was a meeting where TAP’s CEO said she didn’t want Alexandra Reis and accuses Hugo Mendez of lying.
“ABOUT The CMVM communiqué was not written by uswe have nothing to do. It was written by lawyers. We did not touch the legal framework,” guarantees Hugo Mendez.
André Ventura addresses the issue of changing the flight that Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa was on and asking for “where the request to change the flight comes from”.
“I was ready to hurt 200 people [passageiros] for a simple display of political favor,” shoots Andre Ventura.
“I made an unfortunate opinion,” Hugo Mendez repeats.
“Alexandra Reis earned 55% of what David Pedrosa earned,” says Hugo Mendez.
Chega leader Andre Vetura starts by asking Hugo Mendez when the former secretary of state informed Pedro Nuno Santos. [ex-ministro das Infraestruturas e da Habitação] the amount of compensation to Alexandra Reis.
Hugo Mendes gives a brief context.
“The answer will come later. We found out later, I found out later, ”says Hugo Mendez.
“There were no messages regarding the 22nd constitutional government. It was just on the day of the approval. It was on February 2 at 18:13,” admits Hugo Mendez.
Andre Ventura confronts Hugo Mendez with a message sent by a former secretary of state.
“I was only going to keep half a million,” Andre Ventura counters.
Hugo Mendes refers to the fact that a third of the amount requested at the beginning of the negotiations was one and a half million.
“Alexandra Reis earned 55% of what David Pedrosa earned. When they start talking about wage inequality…,” says Hugo Mendez.
‘I didn’t negotiate or give instructions on any specific amount’: Hugo Mendez on compensation to Alexandra Reis
Hugo Mendez continues his speech and addresses the issue of controversy over compensation paid to Alexandra Reis.
The former secretary of state says he wanted to give the head of the TAP team the best possible conditions to implement the restructuring plan.
“We wanted to strengthen the credibility of engineer Christina. I did not negotiate or give instructions for any specific amount“, guarantees the former secretary of state.
Hugo Mendez says the February 2, 2022 email is proof that he did not issue any orders.
Speaking of Alexandra Reis joining NAV, Hugo Mendez says “there is no relationship”.
“NAV has been without a president since August 2021. Alexandra Reis, an engineer, had the necessary qualities,” says Hugo Mendez.
Hugo Mendez says he didn’t need to know how many times TAP and NAV met and talked to financial
Hugo Mendez continues his speech.
About the fleet, Hugo Mendez says that the Ministry of Infrastructure and Housing learned about the incident from the press.
“It has become a political issue. We pulled the handbrake to solve the problem,” he assures.
Lacerda Sales draws Hugo Mendez’s attention to the use of inappropriate CPI language.
ABOUT the former secretary of state says he didn’t need to know how many times TAP and NAV met and talked with financiers.
Hugo Mendez claims he gave “no instructions” to change Marcelo’s flight to TAP.
Former Secretary of State Hugo Mendez begins with an opening statement.
“I worked as Secretary of State for about 2 years and 3 months,” says Hugo Mendez.
“I oversaw the sectors. You need to know very well what the protection of the state and taxpayers is, ”he assures.
“A company undergoing a deep restructuring is a company with a deep wound. TAP is not a public company like the others,” admits Hugo Mendez.
“The responsibility lies with the state. TAP should be subject to different oversight than any other public company,” he adds.
“The accusation that I wanted to prevent TAP from communicating with financial services is ridiculous,” he says.
“Who decides where TAP will fly is the executive committee,” Hugo Mendes ironically repeats several times over several examples of decision making.
Regarding the dispute about changing the flight on which Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa was following Hugo Mendez, he says that the initiative did not come from him.
“I am sorry that I shared a comment about Mr. President of the Republic with the former CEO. I did not show initiative in anything, ”admits Hugo Mendes.
“I limited myself to sharing my opinion, but did not give any instructions‘ confesses Hugo Mendes
PS and PCP deny PSD’s request to send the minutes of the Galamba hearing to MP.
PSD’s request to send the minutes of the Galamba hearing to the Department of Public Affairs was denied by PS and PCP votes against and votes in favor of Chega, BE, IL and PSD.
The SDP will still send Galamba’s statements to the Ministry of Public Administration.
Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry begins
The session begins with a vote on the requirements.
Author: morning Post
Source: CM Jornal
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