Will they really give the ASF “teeth” or will it just be another false fang?
The Senate approved a reform to, supposedly, strengthen the Superior Audit of the Federation (ASF). They say they will give him more powers to supervise public money and combat corruption. We’ll see.
The initiative modifies two key laws. The most striking change: the ASF could investigate alleged serious administrative misconduct at any time, without waiting for the ordinary review processes. Sounds good, right? As if they can finally act when they detect something strange, not when the political calendar allows it.
The project was approved with 28 votes and seeks to modernize audit procedures.
They also talk about incorporating technical tools and improving expense traceability. They promise a centralized registry of data on the use of federal resources, coordinated by the ASF itself. The idea is to keep track of money more easily.
Here comes the interesting thing: there will be new consequences for those who do not provide information to the auditors, whether in whole or in part. Something that, in theory, should deter systemically opaque people.
The official discourse is that this consolidates the ASF as a more robust and efficient body. That will guarantee greater transparency. I wonder: how many “historic” anti-corruption reforms have we seen happen? Memory is short, but files gather dust.
The real test is not in the paper, but whether someone in power actually ends up in trouble because of these audits. Meanwhile, it’s time to file another promise and wait to see if this one bites or just barks.
