Orlando Silva claims to be a victim of an "exceptional court".

247 – The Minister of Sports has been speaking for three hours at the meeting of the Chamber's Oversight and Control Committee, convened so that he could explain the corruption allegations in the Second Time Program. Orlando Silva began his defense by praising the activities carried out by the government and said that he was the victim of an exceptional court. Silva referred to the report published in the latest edition of Veja magazine as "a false narrative" and to the source that denounced the scheme as "a criminal, a bandit source." When he said that the accusations are not based on concrete evidence, the minister was applauded.

While the minister was giving his explanations, opposition parliamentarians met with military police officer João Dias Ferreira, Orlando Silva's accuser and former member of his party, the PCdoB. "João Dias' testimony is absolutely shocking," said Congressman ACM Neto, leader of the DEM party, speaking at the meeting convened for Orlando Silva's explanations. "He (João Dias) brings information that is not in the press and demonstrates the existence of undeniable material evidence," said the congressman. "I think it's difficult for him to refute it," he added.

According to the PSDB leader in the Chamber of Deputies, Duarte Nogueira, the opposition will not ask any questions to Minister Orlando Silva this Tuesday because they want to hear from the accuser of the Minister of Sports first. He even proposed a request for the military police officer to be heard by the Chamber this Wednesday. According to him, João Dias Ferreira has already committed to appearing.

CEP

Orlando Silva refused to sign a document proposed by Congressman Vaz de Lima (PSDB-SP) in which the minister would ask government leaders to support the creation of a Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry to investigate the alleged fraud within his ministry. He justified his refusal by saying he could not interfere in the legislative branch.

"I am a Minister of State, I am part of the Executive branch, distinct from the Legislative branch. It would be excessive for me, as a member of another branch, to take an action that constrains or interferes with the Legislative branch. It is not up to another branch to meddle in matters of the Legislative branch itself," said the minister.

During his defense, Orlando Silva reminded those present that he had requested the opening of an investigation into the case by the Federal Police. The minister concluded his speech by highlighting the history of the PCdoB, "a party that has always taken sides and has not yielded in the toughest moments." According to him, the accusation of a scheme to favor his party is "an affront to democracy."

Congressman Fernando Francischini (PSDB-PR), who is also a police officer, caused a stir when he said, during his intervention, that he sees no guilt in the minister's eyes. "I have experience interrogating criminals. Experience in knowing, in being able to look at someone and know who is involved, and I don't see that in you," said the congressman.

In his speech, Congressman Silvio Costa (PTB-PE) said that Veja magazine published incorrect information when it stated that the minister received money in the Ministry's garage. The congressman provoked the congressmen who spoke about a Parliamentary Inquiry Commission (CPI) for Sports and elicited laughter by saying that "(the governor of São Paulo, Geraldo) Alckmin runs from the CPI like (Senator) Aécio runs from (former governor José) Serra."

Congressman Paulo Teixeira, leader of the PT (Workers' Party) in the Chamber of Deputies, used all five minutes of his speaking time to praise the minister. "When I read the Veja magazine article this week, I immediately shared his suffering," he said, adding that the article contradicts the Constitution regarding the presumption of innocence. The PT leader highlighted the level of conflict surrounding the organization of the World Cup and rhetorically questioned what interests are being orchestrated to target Orlando Silva.

Congressman André Figueiredo, leader of the PDT party in the Chamber of Deputies, said he has been a friend of Orlando Silva since their time at the UNE (National Union of Students) and appealed to Brazilian magazines to be more responsible in publishing news. The congressman also took the opportunity to complain about the treatment that the Minister of Labor, Carlos Lupi, from his own party, has received from the press.

Opposition

The atmosphere was festive at the PSDB leadership in the Senate when the bombshell from the Ministry of Sports arrived, around 15 pm. The leaders of PSDB, DEM, and PPS, who arrived at the location sporting broad smiles, spoke behind closed doors with police officer João Dias, a former PCdoB militant who denounced Minister Orlando Silva's involvement in a scheme to embezzle R$ 40 million from the Segundo Tempo program.

Orlando Silva is accused by police officer João Dias Ferreira, a former member of the PCdoB party and president of two NGOs that had contracts with the ministry, of leading a corruption scheme involving the collection of bribes from institutions that received funds from the program. Together, the João Dias Kung Fu Association and the Brasiliense King Fu Federation, both headed by João Dias, received R$ 2,7 million in grants between 2005 and 2011.