National Assembly names Portugal successor

HARD ON THE HEELS of a Supreme Court decision to suspend Ombudsperson Patria Portugal from office, on Wednesday afternoon, The National Assembly decided to fire her and announce a replacement.

The decision was taken by the Extended Board of the National Assembly, which is in addition to the deputies of Democratic Change includes opposition party whips.

The Assembly received the Order No. 381-SP-2013 of the Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court, the decision to suspend Portugal from office.
Javier Mitil, who was appointed as deputy ombudsman in May 2011, will replace Portugal and he will attend the National Assembly, to be sworn in
Despite her suspension, Portugal will have to go next Monday, July 29, to the Credentials Committee of the National Assembly to answer questions from legislators on the granting of two contracts to CD activists, related to the design of the website of the Ombudsman’s office and customer counseling for officers of the entity for a total cost of $450,000

The ending of Portugal’s career and the upcoming criminal investigation is a stunning vindication of a La Prensa exposure, which some critics had called a political move, but snowballed into demands for her resignation from dozens of citizen's groups