Petrobras Congress comission starts with squabble; president of group is called kid

03/06/2015 - 13h13

The Parliamentary Investigation Commission session (CPI) over Petrobras started on Thursday (5) morning amid protests caused by the conduct of Hugo Motta (PMDB-PB), president of the commission. As a result, congressmen argued and Edmilson Rodrigues (PSOL-PA) even called Motta "colonel" and "kid".

Twenty-five-year-old Motta was made president of the CPI in his second term by president of the Chamber of Deputies Eduardo Cunha (PMDB-RJ), who is acting backstage to corner the Federal Government. Motta's conduct of work was criticized by representatives of many parties, what led to an intense squabble between the lawmakers.

	Alan Marques/Folhapress
	Congress comission president Hugo Motta discuss with Edmilson Rodrigues, who called him kid

The tumult started when few parties, members of the commission like PPS, PSOL and PSB, complained that they were not consulted on the choice of the vice-presidents who will lead the probe, held at the beginning of the session. They also claim they were not asked about the creation of sub-commissions, which, in practice, will undermine the powers of its main rapporteur Luiz Sérgio (RJ), a lawmaker from the Workers Party.

When Motta started to form sub-commissions and guide the congressmen, the opposition shouted. Valente started arguing with Motta and another member, Edmilson Rodrigues, called Motta "kid".

Motta angrily screamed: "I will not accept your disrespect. The president is in charge here, respecting the rules. I do not accept disrespect. You must respect me." And added: "I am not afraid of yelling. Where I come from, men do not yell".

Translated by JULIANA CALDERARI