Patricia Benavidez: The functions of the prosecutor’s office expanded, “but we were allocated only a third of the budget”

Attorney of the Nation Patricia Benavidez noted that the State Department tried to properly carry out all its functions, despite the constraints in the budget. During the FY2023 opening ceremony, Benavidez recalled that there was still a gap of 69% and that only a third of what had been requested had been allocated for this year.

“There is a cry for justice that we cannot ignore. On the part of the public ministry, we are working hard to fulfill the dual mission entrusted to us by the Constitution, despite historical budget constraints and the fact that this budget for 2023 has not changed, and we still maintain a gap of 69%. You know that the public ministry is 100% present in the criminal process. Its managerial functions, specialized prosecutor’s offices, administrative and forensic personnel have increased. But this exponential growth was not reflected in the allocated budget. Suffice it to say that by 2023 only a third of the total requested budget has been allocated.”, – said the head of the Ministry of Health.

In addition, with regard to the protests that have resumed in different parts of the country, Benavidez considered that although democracy recognizes the right to protest, it cannot be used to commit criminal acts.

“Life in a democracy requires the legal right to express dissent, but in accordance with the requirements of the law. Citizens should know that the government ministry guarantees the exercise of the free right to peaceful protest and that prosecutes anyone who abuses this right and makes it a criminal act. The value of our institutions is recognized when they are able to respect the inadequacy expressed in protests, while at the same time not tolerating any act of abuse or destruction of public or private property. Let it be clear that the prosecutor’s office will strictly investigate any act that violates the law, no matter where it comes from, ”he said.

Dina Boluarte: Prosecutor Patricia Benavidez did not hesitate to defend the constitutional order

On another occasion, the President of the Republic, Dina Boluarte, delivered a speech in which she highlighted the work of the prosecutor Patricia Benavidez for “defending the constitutional order” in the face of the failed coup attempt by former President Pedro Castillo.

“I especially want to commend the work of National Prosecutor Patricia Benavidez, who In the last turning points that our country has experienced, it has not hesitated for a moment to defend the constitutional order and democracy.. The firm and clear position of the authorities, political forces and citizens prevented the collapse of the democratic system and the rule of law. Likewise, this institution, within the framework of the independence and autonomy granted to it by the Political Constitution and which my government will scrupulously respect, has given our country clear signs of its commitment to the frontal fight against corruption in the prosecution of crime and in the search for truth so that justice will prevail,” he said. he.

“In recent years, Peru has been at the epicenter of serious corruption scandals. that it not only took away resources that should have been directed to the poorest and to the development of the country, but also. worse, they have shaken the foundations of our institutions and our democracy,” he added.