Legislators Asked From Voting on TLC To Avoid Conflict of Interest
The fight against the Tratado Libre de Comercio (TLC) - free trade agrement with the United States - continues, as people against the trade agreement have taken to the streets and now in the Legislative Assembly itself.

The Departamento de Servicios Técnicos de la Asamblea Legislativa is advising that Article 48 of the Ley contra la corrupción y el enriquecimiento ilícito (anti-corruption law) is in force and legislative deputies who vote in favour of the trade agreement may be subject to legal consequences if they or their families economically benefit from the passage of the trade deal.

The legislative ruling was solicited by deputy Alberto Salom of the Partido Acción Ciudadana (PAC).

The first charge is being levied against Evita Arguedas, head of the Movimiento Libertario (ML) group of legislators, who according to Salom, has interest in the opening of telecommunications as she owns 160 concession rights to the 800 and 900 Megahertz frequency that is used in radio communications.

Accoriding to Salom, the legislator, should remove herself from the commission that is discussing the Ley General de Telecomunicaciones (law on telecommunications) and should abstain from voting on the TLC.

Notwithstanding, the Departamento de Servicios Técnicos, is recommending that legislators abstain from voting on the TLC that are in a conflict of interest, but it will be up to each legislator to make that decision.

Glorica Valerín, director of the Departamento de Servicios Técnicos, did not want to comment on the specific case of Arguedas and if the there is a conflict of interest.

Valerín added that that will be up to the Contraloría General de la República (comptroller's office) and the courts to clarify is there is a conflict or not.

"It is prudent that a legislator refrain from voting on a law that could bring them benefits, in view of the anti-corruption laws", said Valerín.

Arguedas denies having any particular interest in the breaking of the communications monopoly in the country. "The report is a technical question, but is now mired in politics" said Arguedas.

Salom reacted angrily demanding that legislator give full explanations. "The deputy has only said lies to draw a smoke curtain over the conflict of interest to which is clear to everyone", said Salom.