Silence is Demosthenes' latest breach of decorum.
A parliamentarian who doesn't engage in parliamentary activity (speaks, converses, debates, attacks, defends, proposes) demonstrates total contempt for their role; this was Demóstenes Torres's stance this morning before the Cachoeira CPI; is he up to the task of his mandate as a senator of the Republic?
247 – Senator Demóstenes Torres demonstrated during the Cachoeira CPI session this Thursday, the 30th, that he lacks parliamentary decorum. After all, even in his capacity as a Senator of the Republic, one of the three representatives of Goiás in the so-called Upper House, his refusal to engage in parliamentary activity (speaking, debating, discussing, presenting facts and arguments, exchanging ideas), remaining silent before the members of the CPI, indicated his complete disregard for the frank and democratic spirit of Congress and the very activity for which he was elected.
Yes, Demosthenes speaks, but only when it suits him, which was the case for almost five hours yesterday at the Senate Ethics Committee. In this environment, which he considered more friendly, exclusively among his peers, the senator once again showed glimpses of his former emphatic and assertive posture. He even went so far as to say, clearly to evoke emotion, that he had returned to believing in God, and confessed that, until then, he had acted much more guided by the "politics of men." It was almost pitiful. He repeatedly mentioned, contritely, his family, bringing into the discussion yet another institution dear to everyone. At times, when citing passages from the Federal Police investigation, Demosthenes managed, technically, to give the impression that he was truly willing to face, head-on, in all forums, the evidence and accusations against him. But 24 hours were enough for this farce to fall apart.
Faced with the members of the Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry, who were better informed about the Federal Police's Operation Monte Carlo investigation and therefore in a position to ask tougher questions about his prominent role alongside Carlinhos Cachoeira, Demóstenes chose to exercise the right to remain silent, a right guaranteed to all citizens by the Constitution.
Demosthenes's silence particularly irritated Congressman Silvio Costa (PTB-PE). "Your silence writes in capital letters that 'I, Demosthenes Torres, am a member of Carlinhos Cachoeira's gang,'" Costa stated. "You're not going to heaven, which is no place for liars, for hypocrites. You are a former senator; this silence will lead to your expulsion by 80 votes in the Senate." Costa was interrupted by Senator Pedro Taques (PDT-MT), who pointed to the article of the Constitution that prohibits the humiliation of individuals. Faced with the ensuing argument, Senator Vital do Rego (PMDB-PB) released Demosthenes and allowed the session to proceed. Despite his strategy of remaining silent, the senator ultimately left the CPI defeated.