Díaz-Estébanez (CC) and Reverón (PP) seek unanimous support from the Chamber, highlighting the “negligence” and “lack of oversight” of the previous Administration.
SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 28th February (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Nationalist and Popular parliamentary groups have lodged a request today in the Canary Islands Parliament to establish an investigative commission into what they refer to as the “Torres case”, with the aim of shedding light on the procurement of masks and medical supplies in the archipelago during the previous term.
The nationalist deputy José Alberto Díaz-Estébanez and the popular spokesperson, Luz Reverón, have expressed their hope for the proposal to garner unanimous support from all parties after it was rejected over a year ago.
Initially, the commission is set to investigate the initial ‘mask case’, involving a prepayment of four million euros to a company for one million masks that were never delivered, the ‘Koldo case’ which led to contracts worth 12.5 million with a company linked to the former advisor to the Minister of Transport, José Luis Ábalos, and the latest case resulting in a complaint filed by the Las Palmas Prosecutor’s Office against four businessmen for offences including crimes against the Public Treasury, money laundering, and embezzlement related to the sale of medical supplies amounting to 22.8 million euros during the pandemic.
Estébanez clarified that the goal is to clarify all aspects of the three cases – with the third involving the investigation of Lucas Bravo de Laguna, a former deputy of the Nationalist Group representing United for Gran Canaria – although he stressed that priority should be given to matters concerning the procurement of medical supplies rather than potential corporate malpractice.
The proposal will now be assessed by the Parliament Board and likely put to a vote during the first plenary session following the ‘Debate on the State of Nationality’. Both Estébanez and Reverón have stated that they are not pre-empting any outcomes, but it is expected that the former President of the Canary Islands and head of the health management committee during the pandemic, Ángel Víctor Torres, must appear before the commission.
Díaz-Estébanez lamented the “474 lost days without answers” after the ‘Las Flores Pact’ used parliamentary maneuvers to prevent the debate of the commission proposal by both groups.
He criticized the socialists in the Canary Islands for attempting to buy “time and impunity” in a manner he described as “shameful”. He accused them of having an inflexible stance and noted the sudden change in approach, acknowledging that they would not oppose the commission’s formation.
He highlighted how amid the pandemic, a few individuals managed to profit, questioning whether the ‘mask case’ resembles the ‘Koldo case’ and suggesting a connection between the two involving an individual benefitting from insider information.
IDENTIFYING THE PLAYERS IN THE SCHEME REMAINS A MYSTERY
The nationalist deputy reiterated that the identities behind the ongoing investigations remain unknown, particularly those responsible for giving orders and concealing information. He also emphasized that contracts were not approved by the Government Council despite exceeding the emergency declaration’s two-million-euro threshold, and criticised the suppression of the draft Audit of Accounts report that had already identified irregularities.
He scrutinised the socialists nationwide, likening their conduct to a “tragicomedy between The Sopranos and Torrente” and expressed confidence that they would not be deterred or interfered with by other parliamentary commissions or ongoing judicial investigations.
Parliament, he argued, cannot remain indifferent to allegations of corruption and stressed the need for Torres to provide explanations and be held accountable.
Reverón pointed out that these are “grave incidents” involving contracts totaling around 45 million euros, suggesting it is not an isolated case but rather a reflection of a government characterised by dishonesty and wastefulness. He called for transparency and thorough investigation.
He further highlighted the “negligence and irregularities” that defined the Torres Administration, finding it “inconceivable” that Torres has not yet addressed these issues.
