In just two years of office, the City Council of Arrecife has accumulated over 1,100 objections from the municipal auditor. This figure is not a trivial bureaucratic statistic; it reflects a governing style where technical warnings are treated merely as obstacles to be circumvented.
Recent Controversies
The latest, and perhaps most notable example, has been the contract for Alejandro Fernández’s concert. The auditor was unequivocal, detailed, and forceful in her report: she explained point by point why that expenditure should not be authorised and what the risks were for the municipal finances. Nonetheless, the objection was lifted, and the project proceeded as if nothing had happened.
A Pattern of Neglect
This highlights the core issue: we are not dealing with an isolated incident but a troubling pattern. When objections become routine and are routinely disregarded, what is communicated to the public is deeply concerning: “We acknowledge oversight exists, but we will do as we please.”
The role of the auditor is not ornamental. It is not meant to irritate or halt political whims, but to ensure that public resources are managed in accordance with the law, with rigor and respect for taxpayer money. Each lifted objection is a warning signal, indicating that something does not comply with legal standards or proper procedure.
Erosion of Trust
If these reports are consistently ignored, it erodes not only the position of the auditor but the credibility of the institution itself. What use is there in speaking of transparency, responsible management, or respect for the public if it then becomes the norm to bypass the technical expertise that should serve as a counterbalance to political power?
As a resident of Arrecife and a public official, I am greatly concerned about everything happening in my city council, and I know many residents share the same sentiment. I sincerely hope a way can be found to respect the mechanisms of oversight and accountability that must be upheld before the citizenry. Because every objection lifted without substantial political justification is not merely an act of arrogance towards the auditor, but a blow to the trust that the people of Arrecife have in their leaders.
The Crucial Question
The inevitable question arises: who watches over those who should be monitored?
