Congress Holds First Decentralized Session In Ica

Peruvian legislators on Thursday held the first decentralized session in the southern Ica region, where it approved the creation of a commission to investigate irregularities in Ica’s reconstruction work following the massive earthquake in August 2007. The motion was unanimously approved and gives the commission six months to investigate the issue, daily El Comercio reported. [...]

Lawmakers Travel To Ica Ahead Of Congressional Session

Members of Peru’s Congress traveled to the southern region of Ica on Wednesday where they held talks with local residents and will take part in a legislative session on Thursday. The president of Congress and close ally of President Ollanta Humala, Daniel Abugattas, organized the session saying that it would be a part of the [...]

Congress to spend $47,700 on session in Ica

Plans by Peru’s Congress to hold a session in the southern city of Ica is expected to cost 130,000 soles (approximately $47,700), the president of Congress, Daniel Abugattas, said. “The session is a symbolic act of decentralization and we will try to make sure that the agenda of this session is intimately linked to Ica,” [...]

Legislators criticized for receiving re-location payment

Peruvian legislators re-elected to represent districts in Lima have come under fire this week for accepting a payment that is intended to help new lawmakers cover installation expenses. Lawmakers in Peru are paid a bonus of 15,600 soles (approximately $5,700) when they take office. The money is intended to help legislators that represent districts outside of Lima, to [...]

Peru Congress gives new premier Yehude Simon’s six-part plan vote of confidence

Peru’s Congress gave premier Yehude Simon’s six-part plan a vote of confidence Friday, after a five-hour long debate. Simon’s plan, which includes fighting corruption, pushing forward with decentralization, improving citizen saftey and preparing Peru ahead of the global financial crsis, was approved 62 to 16, with 10 abstentions. After Simon’s presentation, congressmen opened the debate [...]

Peru Congress incorporates congressional expenses allocation to salaries

In a move that was initially criticized, Congress voted 61-17 to incorporate the allocation for expenses into their monthly paycheck. The allocation does not become part of their wages per se, as it is not included in pension and health insurance benefit contributions, but it will be automatically paid without the need for accountability. The [...]

Peru congressman faces 100-day suspension for shooting down neighbor’s pet Schnauzer with unlicensed rifle

It doesn’t look like Congressman Miro Ruiz will get the forgiveness he asked for when he admitted to lying about gunning down his neighbor’s pet Schnauzer with an unlicensed rifle. Congress’ Ethics Commission voted late Wednesday to impose a 100-day suspension, pending a ratification vote by the full legislature. “There is no way we can [...]

Peruvian congressman lambasted for allegedly gunning down neighbor’s Schnauzer puppy

Peruvian legislators are frequently hit with a wide array of scandals: Everything from run of the mill nepotism for hiring a relative or friend for a no-show job, to more lecherous shenanigans, like getting caught on videotape begging a teenage office assistant not to press charges for sexual abuse. But never has a member of [...]