The Secretary General of the Public Ministry (MP), Ángel Pineda, assured this Friday, May 15, that the transition between the outgoing Attorney General, Consuelo Porras Argueta, and the new head of the investigative entity, Gabriel Estuardo García Luna, is developing “normally” and in accordance with the procedures established by the Comptroller General of Accounts, while he described as “narratives” the doubts and accusations that have arisen on social networks about the institutional changeover process.
Pineda explained that since the beginning of the week, communication was maintained with delegates of the attorney general elected to coordinate the handover process, prior to the inauguration scheduled for May 17.
Regarding the discussion generated on social networks about the inauguration of Gabriel García Luna, Pineda downplayed the accusations and assured that they were only debates derived from administrative interpretations.
He explained that the MP responded to queries raised by a deputy about the legal procedure for the replacement of authorities, but clarified that the institution does not act as an advisory body to Congress.
“The discussion on social networks regarding an administrative act is that only,” said the official.
As detailed, the MP prepared executive and technical documentation related to institutional functioning in the fiscal, administrative and technical areas.
“Yesterday, this synthesis was officially delivered regarding what the function of the Public Ministry implies in the fiscal area, in the technical area and in the administrative area,” Pineda stated during an interview with Free Press Radio.
The official indicated that the outgoing authorities, the incoming attorney general and the heads of the main work areas of the MP participated in the public meeting held last Thursday, who were available to resolve doubts about the internal functioning of the institution.
Pineda added that García Luna came accompanied by three people who would be part of his work team, although he avoided identifying them.
“It should be Mr. Luna who determines when he makes that aspect public,” he said.
Institutional report
According to Pineda, the main presentation was given by Consuelo Porras, who presented a comparative balance of the conditions under which she received the MP in 2018 and the current situation of the institution.
He also indicated that the institutional strategic plan was delivered to the new attorney general to facilitate the diagnosis and planning of the next administration.
“The institutional strategic plan serves as an initial guideline for the incoming attorney general so that he can make his corresponding diagnosis and can also update it,” he noted.
Change of command
Regarding the administrative procedure for handing over the position, Pineda explained that minutes related to control and accountability issues will be made, in accordance with recent regulations of the Comptroller General of Accounts.
He indicated that the process will be similar to that carried out in previous administration changes within the MP.
“The transition will be generated the same as every four years in the Public Ministry,” he stated.
He added that the new authority will officially take office on May 17 and will subsequently decide which officials will accompany it in the administration.
Institutional strengthening
Asked about the operational challenges of the MP, Pineda assured that the institution strengthened its investigative capabilities in recent years, although he pointed out limitations related to other entities in the justice system.
He indicated that one of the main obstacles is in the National Institute of Forensic Sciences (Inacif), due to budgetary limitations.
“The Public Ministry has been duly strengthened in terms of investigation,” he stated.
He also noted that the MP maintains constant evaluation and internal reorganization processes to improve institutional efficiency.
He explained that currently the computer system allows the performance of prosecutors and personnel to be measured in an automated manner.
“Today, thanks to the fact that the Public Ministry is duly computerized, it is the system itself that determines whether the work is being generated appropriately or not,” he indicated.
Pineda also defended Porras’ management in the face of national and international questions against the MP.
The secretary general assured that in recent years there have been “disinformative narratives” and external pressures related to administrative decisions and investigations promoted by the Prosecutor’s Office.
According to him, officials and international actors expressed dissatisfaction with some cases developed by the investigating entity, although he maintained that the team led by Porras maintained the investigations and institutional actions “without giving in to those pressures.”
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