TAP Chairman Manuel Beja, who was fired after Alexandra Reis’s compensation amount became known, is being heard this Wednesday before a commission of inquiry into the actions of the airline’s management.
Manuel Beja became the fifth person to be heard in the TAP commissions of inquiry. Passed through Parliament Inspector General of Finance António Ferreira dos Santos, TAP Financial Administrator Goncalo Pires, Airline CEO Christine Widener and Alexandra Reis. Deputies want to hear 60 personalities.
The case, reported by Correio da Manhã, led to the resignations of Pedro Nuno Santos, then Minister of Infrastructure, and Secretary of State Hugo Méndez. Alexandra Reis left her post shortly after taking office as finance minister.
in a minute
Updated April 11, 2023 | 20:36
CMVM files lawsuit against company for reporting Alexandra Reis’ departure
“About an hour before this hearing, I received information that the CMVM had filed a case against TAP,” Manuel Beja replied to PSD MP Hugo Carneiro in the TAP Commission of Inquiry.
Another “chairman” of the airline said that he did not yet know the contents of the notice, because he received it on his way to the Assembly of the Republic.
We are talking about TAP’s statement to the Securities Market Commission (CMVM) when Alexandra Reis left the company, in which the company said that the administrator had resigned from his position to take on new challenges.
Manuel Beja accuses the Ministry of Finance of “immobility” that “slowed down” the will of Infrastructure.
The chairman of TAP’s board of directors on Tuesday accused the finance ministry of “immobility” that “slowed down” the infrastructure ministry’s drive to succeed and cast doubt on necessary decisions.
“There were several moments when the desire of the infrastructure ministry to succeed was slowed down by the immobility of the finance ministry,” Manuel Beja told the TAP commission of inquiry.
In response to questions from Deputy BE Mariana Mortagua, the still chairman of the airline’s board of directors, confirmed that the Treasury’s slowness jeopardizes the decisions necessary for the proper functioning of TAP and that this is “an ongoing situation in the final year of the mandate.”
“The email I sent to Minister Joao Galamba in January lists several topics that are pending a decision by the guardianship authorities,” he stressed.
Manuel Beja and the company’s executive president, Christine Humier-Widener, signed an agreement to fire former administrator Alexandra Reis, in which the General Financial Inspectorate (IGF) concluded serious violations, and the government decided to exonerate the two perpetrators, asserting a just cause.
In June 2021, TAP shareholders approved at a general meeting new management led by Manuel Beja, who replaced Miguel Frasquillo as chairman of the airline’s board of directors.
Until recently, the name of the chairman of the board of directors was little known in public opinion, but that changed when Correio da Manhã announced last December that former administrator Alexandra Reis, then finance minister, had resigned. TAP with compensation of 500,000 euros.
The chairman of the TAR cannot pinpoint the exact moment when he learned about the departure of Alexandra Reis
“It’s hard for me to make a chronology of what is not documented,” he admits.
“It felt wrong to me”: Manuel Beja and the process of hiring a friend of the director of TAP
Manuel Beja asked the directors about the hiring of Isabelle Nicolaou, a friend of the TAP director.
“After the discussion on this topic became public, I spoke with HR Director Anna Dionisio, Administrator Sophia Lufinha and Christine Urmier-Videner.
“There was no answer to doubts. It was a difficult moment in TAP’s life. He didn’t show common sense.
The recruitment process seemed inadequate to me.”
Manuel Beja says he has lost patience with TAP’s CEO’s excuses for using drivers.
“I ran into the chairman of the executive committee” about trips with TAP drivers
“I lost my patience,” recalls Manuel Beja, recalling the TAP CEO’s excuses for chauffeur abuse.
“It was one of the few situations where I lost my temper. I thought I was trying to justify something that couldn’t be justified.”
The TAP Chairman will be informed of the dismissal by mobile phone on the day of the conference
Manuel Beja says he was informed of the dismissal by cell phone on the day of the conference.
“I received the news of my resignation by telephone from Joao Galamba at 10:20 am, the day of the conference.”
Pedro Nuno Santos did not respond to Manuel Beja about the departure of Alexandra Reis
Manuel Beja unsuccessfully tried to contact the former Minister of Infrastructure about the departure of Alexandra Reis.
“The four contacts that I made with Pedro Nuno Santos were supposed to discuss this topic. [saída de Alexandra Reis]. Pedro Nuno Santos did not respond to the message.”
Cristina and Alexandra Reis “had something to add to TAP”: Manuel Beja
Before proceeding with the statements, the Left Bloc MP renounces the air conditioner, pointing directly at the place where it is located.
Mariana Mortagua questions Manuel Bejo about the departure of Alexandra Reis.
“Tensions between Alexandra Reis and the CEO grew,” the chairman justifies.
Manuel Beja claims he was trying to keep Alexandra Reis and explained to Cristina Urmier-Widener and Alexandra Reis that they both have something to add to TAP.
Manuel Beja: “TAP could go bankrupt at any moment”
“In any public-private company, the shareholder must set conditions for the directors to perform their functions. TAP could go bankrupt at any time if there is no board of directors approval.”
Dealing with management contracts ‘idle for a year’
The TAP chairman admits he tried unsuccessfully to resolve problems with the airline’s management contracts.
“The problem was the subject of attempts to resolve it on my part, but during the year it was not discussed,” he assures.
“Management contracts have been delivered to the administration. In view of the negative response to the claims, we sent a new letter on this topic. All members of the board of directors were in the know.”
‘There was a possibility of a conflict of interest’: Manuel Beja on running TAP
Bruno Diaz, Deputy PCP, starts asking Manuel Beja questions.
The MP asks the TAP Chairman to read the letter sent by Manuel Beja to the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Infrastructure dated 7 October.
The text reveals situations of a possible conflict of interest with the leadership of the TAR.
“There was a possibility of a conflict of interest,” he admits.
Chairman of the TAR: “Exit [de Alexandra Reis] could have been avoided”
The TAP chair claims that the departure of Alexandra Reis contributed to “evidence of TAP’s problems”.
“Exit [de Alexandra Reis] could have been avoided. I do not agree with the decision.”
“I tried to talk to Pedro Nuno Santos, but to no avail,” he defends.
Manuel Beja blames “the practice of informal communication between the operator and TAP” and recalls that he warned about “more appropriate forms of communication”.
The TAP chairman, still backed by the newspaper, presents his proposed improvements to the company’s management and reports on the work he has done since the beginning of his mandate.
“I intervened in the misuse of drivers.”
“I am confident and calm about the role I have played,” Manuel Beja adds as he ends the presentation.
Political guardianship of the TAR “lost the north”: Manuel Beja in the commission of inquiry
Supported by the paper, Manuel Beja shows the intentions with which he is present in the commission.
The TAP chairman first makes a presentation on how the airline’s management works.
“I kept silent because of institutional debt”He says.
“The exercise of political tutelage started well, but has reached a dead end,” adds the chairman.
“The principle of non-intervention was replaced by control.”
Commission of Inquiry starts work more than 20 minutes late
Commission of Inquiry Chairman Jorge Seguro Sanchez apologizes for the delay and suggests that the responsibility for the delay lies with the responsible group and not TAP Chairman Manuel Beja. The commission was supposed to start at 17:00 and start at 17:24.
Author: morning Post
Source: CM Jornal
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