Peruvian Congress Under Fire for Secret Hiring Spree Costing Half a Million Soles

Peruvian Congress Faces Backlash Over S/491,810 in Questionable Hiring Practices LIMA, PERU – The Peruvian Congress is facing intense scrutiny over its hiring practices, with a recent report revealing the expenditure of S/491,810 in April 2025 on 58 trust personnel who bypassed the standard public tender process. This revelation has sparked outrage among citizens and opposition parties, who are demanding greater transparency and accountability from the legislative body. According to the report by América Noticias, the hiring of these individuals, who form part of the so-called "trust module," was solely at the discretion of the Congress president, Eduardo Salhuana. This lack of a meritocratic system has led to accusations of favoritism and cronyism. "According to the very agreement of the Board of Directors, the personnel of the so-called trust module does not go through a public competition. It is the president of Congress who decides who to hire," stated the report's narrator. The video includes an interview with Jimmy Torres, an advisor to the Congress president, who confirmed his position but did not clarify the selection process. When asked about the lack of a public tender, he stated, "It's a position of trust, that's why it says 'trust module.'" This response highlights the perceived lack of transparency surrounding the hiring process. The financial implications are also significant. The S/491,810 spent in April alone represents a substantial amount of public funds. Furthermore, the report indicates that over a five-month period in 2024, the Congress spent S/1,475,789 on additional personnel salaries. This raises further concerns about the financial management of the Congress. The public outcry is evident in the video, which shows citizens protesting in the streets, demanding legislative action that benefits the people. This emotional contrast between the actions of the Congress and the demands of its citizens underscores the severity of the issue. The situation calls for further investigation and reform to ensure transparency and accountability in the hiring practices of the Peruvian Congress.