SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 20th March (EUROPA PRESS) –
Today, Wednesday, the Canary Islands Parliament has unanimously agreed to set up an investigative committee, following a proposal by the Canary Nationalist and Popular groups, to look into what has been dubbed the “Torres case” in order to clarify any political accountabilities arising from the irregularities in the procurement of medical supplies during the Covid-19 pandemic in the administration of Ángel Víctor Torres.
Deputy José Alberto Díaz-Estébanez, from the Canarian Nationalist Group, defended the establishment of this investigative committee due to the “numerous and very serious irregularities” that occurred during the pandemic, stating that these were not just mere suspicions, but definite facts supported not only by the media, but also by police investigations resulting in complaints filed with the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office and the European Prosecutor’s Office, along with prior reports from the Audit of Accounts that were inexplicably censored.
José Alberto Díaz-Estébanez highlighted that the previous Government, headed by Ángel Víctor Torres, had been alerted to these alleged irregularities “clearly and convincingly” in a request for an investigative committee fifteen months ago, pointing out that the Socialist Party “not only rejected the establishment of this committee, but also prevented any discussion on it by adopting an unprecedented agreement to silence it, without even considering its explanatory statement.”
He also criticised the fact that the Pact of Flowers Government had been able to confidently state that there was no wrongdoing, everything was done correctly, no mishaps occurred, the management was “fully and absolutely faultless, and it was all a product of personal frustration, incompetence and lack of shame.” He added that the recent remarks by former Podemos consultant Noemí Santana, claiming she had doubts about the investigation committee and therefore did not participate in the vote, was the “icing on the cake.” “If her stance were to be believed, the image of her acting cowardly, abandoning her own colleagues, would be truly damning,” Díaz-Estébanez remarked.
On the other hand, Deputy Luz Reverón (PP) welcomed the establishment of this investigative committee, especially after certain members of the Socialist Party attempted to present themselves as the epitome of transparency and claiming to have nothing to conceal. She recalled that it was precisely the PSOE who, in a previous “censorship debate”, had rejected the idea of forming this committee a year and a half ago, and criticised their recent support, not due to consistency, but rather because the parliamentary majorities had shifted.
Luz Reverón also labelled as “trivial” the statement by current Minister Ángel Víctor Torres, the top political figure in the previous administration where these alleged irregularities in the acquisition of healthcare resources during the pandemic transpired, asserting that he had no secrets to hide. She reiterated that they were once again in need of “electricity and a shorthand writer”, despite the socialist bench lacking the political will to shed light on these alleged irregularities, which have incurred expenses of around 46 million euros for the Canary Islands public treasury.
Vox Group spokesperson Nicasio Galván backed the creation of the investigative committee because it is “unacceptable that during confinement, PSOE members have leveraged their positions to benefit through manipulative and pre-arranged contracts, misappropriating public funds.” He expressed his hope that this committee would unveil hidden corruption and that the PSOE would not be able to escape scrutiny. “Let Ángel Víctor Torres come forward, let all those involved come forward and face the Canarian citizens, with no excuses, just the unadulterated truth, to acknowledge and bear the consequences,” he added.
Deputy Raúl Acosta also supported the formation of the committee because AHI is “resolutely committed to legality, ethics, and transparency in political conduct and the handling of public resources,” while the spokesperson for the Gomera Socialist Group (ASG), Jesús Ramos Chinea, endorsed the launch of the committee but underlined that this was a matter for the judiciary, and it would be a judge, not Parliament, who would ultimately deliver a verdict.
A ‘Compromised’ Tool
From the Nueva Canarias Group-Bloque Canarista side, Luis Campos sought to explain why his group opposed setting up this committee a year and a half ago, stating that they had never supported this parliamentary tool because “in reality, it is always twisted.” He recalled that not only did they not back it in the previous term but also in the one before, when other political factions turned to NC-BC to back an investigative committee on then-Canary Islands President Fernando Clavijo. He also urged that this committee not introduce “the atmosphere of tension already present in Madrid,” and if there were accountabilities to be demanded, these should be pursued by upholding the principle of innocence.
Socialist Group spokesperson Sebastián Franquis reiterated, as he had during the Nationality State Debate, that any political party in power could face corruption cases, emphasising that the distinction lies in how these are addressed, thus defending the PSOE’s approach against that of the PP. He also noted that over the 40-year history of the Canary Islands Parliament, up to twelve investigative committees have been suggested, with only five receiving approval.
Sebastián Franquis wanted to assert that the PSOE is “inherently incompatible” with corruption and insisted that when an issue arises, they “promptly assume responsibility,” immediately demand public accountabilities, and act with “complete determination,” stressing that at present, there is no member of the Canary Socialist Party under investigation for corruption.
The socialist spokesperson also stated that if his party supports the creation of an investigative committee, it is because “we are the first ones interested in a thorough investigation with all its consequences, and if it is uncovered that someone is involved in misconduct, to promptly accept their political responsibilities.” “We will be the first to demand this, as there is absolutely nothing to conceal,” he emphasised.
About the PSOE’s rejection of forming an investigative committee in the prior term, Franquis argued that at that time, “there was only one case under review, the ‘masks’ case, but since then, there have been four additional cases,” criticising the Popular Party for only highlighting “cases of interest to them but not all those currently under investigation in the region and which occurred during the pandemic due to contract issues in a similar vein.”
Sebastián Franquis acknowledged that Ángel Víctor Torres has had both successes and failures in his political management but maintained that “he has no skeletons in the closet because, above all, he is an honest individual.” He accused the Canarian Coalition and the Popular Party of having zero interest in the committee other than to “inflict political harm and corner the opposition.” Finally, he expressed confidence that “by the end of this saga, more than one person will owe an apology for slandering honest individuals,” and only called for political responsibility because “we will be tarnishing the entire political class of this community.”
