Honduran Commission Reporting on Corruption Fails to Dig Deep

A multi-party commission within the Honduran National Congress presented a report on 12 cases of corruption Thursday night, in the wake of a multi-million dollar Social Security Institute scandal fueling ongoing calls for President Juan Orlando Hernandez' resignation, Honduras' La Prensa reported.

Despite much anticipation for the commission's findings, the report largely summarized already known facts and offered a series of recommendations.

On social media, many condemned the report as “shameful,” mockingly asking when the report would begin while it was in progress, and reiterating their support for ongoing protests against the government's corruption.

Todo investigó esta junta menos lo del IHSS, ni mierda nos vamos a la marcha de las velas mañana @LegionHonduras pic.twitter.com/eqTp5QOmDq

— Heber Diaz (@HeberDiaz86) June 5, 2015

“This commission investigated everything except the Social Security Institute. No kidding we’re going to the candlelight march tomorrow.”

Ese informe vale chancleta, hasta que no hayan presos vamos a las calles! @LegionHonduras #CasoIHSS #InformeSobreCorrupcion

— Santiago Garay (@santigaray) June 5, 2015

“This report is worthless. Until there are prisoners we’ll march in the streets!”

Among the recommendations of the report, the commission proposed an investigation into the Social Security Institute's management, as well as the companies that sold the institute equipment, including mispriced ambulances.

It also suggested the investigation should extend to former National Party President Porfirio Lobo, under whose government more than US$350 million was allegedly embezzled from the Social Security Institute.

RELATED: Honduran President Admits Corrupt Campaign Funding

​The attorney general has opened multiple lines of investigation into the massive US$200 million Social Security Institute scandal implicating Hernandez and his National Party. The majority of the 21 cases opened are still being processed.

The report was delivered by Hernandez's National Party legislator Mario Perez, head of the multi-party commission formed two weeks ago to look into the Social Security Insitute and several other high profile cases.

@LegionHonduras Cómo es posible q uno de los acusados de un acto de corrupción esté en la comisión que investiga esos actos de corrupción???

— Jorge Tábora (@soyjorgetabora) June 5, 2015

“How is it possible that one of those accused of an act of corruption is in the commission that investigates those acts of corruption?”

Earlier this week, Honduras' El Tiempo reported that Perez said that it “remains clear” that the accusations of the National Party embezzling US$90 million or more from the Social Security Institute are “pure lies.” According to a report on Honduras's Radio Globo, Perez is implicated in drug trafficking in the northwestern part of the country, where his political jurisdiction of Santa Barbara is located.  

Perez concluded his report saying the commission welcomed the Congress to decide whether it was necessary for Attorney General Oscar Chinchilla, aligned with the ruling National Party, to report directly to legislators the status of ongoing investigations.

Protests at the local United Nations office are planned Friday to demand an international commission investigate impunity and corruption.