The PL leader in the Chamber, Sóstenes Cavalcante (PL-RJ), decided to nominate himself as a new member of the INSS CPI after a series of opposition defeats in the collegiate.
The most recent was the rejection of the summons request of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s brother, José Ferreira da Silva, Frei Chico — vice-president of the National Union of Retirees, Pensioners and Senior Citizens of Força Sindical (Sindnapi). The union is one of the entities investigated by the Federal Police in the scheme of fraudulent discounts for retirees. Frei Chico, however, is not formally investigated.
The request was defeated by 19 votes to 11 and marked the victory of an articulation of the government bench. The successful political effort also represented a new phase for allies of Palácio do Planalto who work on the commission. After the installation of the CPI, the government lost control of the collegiate’s key posts due to absences in the session that elected the president and rapporteur, in September, but recently began to be successful in votes that shield names close to the base.
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— The opposition was victorious in the establishment of the CPI. But, since it started, we have only suffered defeats. We lost them all. I decided to join to help parliamentarians organize themselves and get requests against the government approved. I don’t like losing — said Sóstenes.
Recent victories for Lula’s base
Shielding Lula’s brother – The CPI rejected a request for the testimony of José Ferreira da Silva, Frei Chico, brother of President Lula. Frei Chico is vice-president of Sindnapi, one of the entities targeted in the investigation into a fraudulent INSS discount scheme. He is not investigated.
Blocked breaches of confidentiality – Lula’s allies managed to stop the breaches of confidentiality by publicist Danielle Fonteles and Paulo Boudens, Davi Alcolumbre’s former chief of staff. The publicist has already provided services to PT electoral campaigns and received R$5 million from the “bald INSS”.
Advance against lawyer – Another victory was the breaking of bank secrecy by lawyer Eli Cohen, author of the first complaints about INSS fraud. CPI government parliamentarians expect the data to point to deviations in Jair Bolsonaro’s government.
In recent votes, Lula’s base also prevented the breach of confidentiality by publicist Danielle Miranda Fonteles and her company. She received R$5 million from lobbyist Antônio Carlos Camilo Antunes, known as the “bald guy from INSS”, between November 2023 and March 2025.
The publicist has already provided services to PT electoral campaigns, such as that of Dilma Rousseff, in 2010. The rejection consolidated the understanding that preserved Frei Chico — Danielle is not formally investigated.
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According to the defenses of Antunes and Fonteles, the payment was made for the purchase of a property in Trancoso (BA) in a negotiation that ended up not materializing. The case was revealed by “ Veja ” magazine and confirmed by GLOBO.
Last week, the government’s votes prevented the breaking of banking secrecy by Paulo Boudens, former chief of staff to the president of the Senate, Davi Alcolumbre (União-AP), who has been guarantor of the Executive’s interests in the Legislature.
‘Call list’
The breach of banking secrecy by lawyer Eli Cohen, author of the first complaints about INSS fraud, was celebrated as a government victory. CPI parliamentarians expect the data to point to deviations in the Bolsonaro government.
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The “roll call” of those present has been the government leaders’ main asset. On Mondays and Thursdays, session days, the office of deputy Paulo Pimenta (PT-RS), designated leader of the bench at the CPI, contacts base parliamentarians to ensure a quorum and not allow substitutes linked to the opposition to vote. In a WhatsApp group, government deputies and senators are provided with summaries of the activities of those questioned and with guidance.
Pimenta denies that the victories represent an attempt to shield allies:
— We don’t want to shield anyone, but our guideline is to reject requests that are not linked to the scope of the CPI.
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The government supporters have “shock troops” in the commission, which has been involved in clashes with the opposition and positioned itself in a more technical manner during the sessions.
