Jorge Arguedas and Ottón Solís demanded the Bank of Costa Rica (BCR) to revoke the appointment of controversial executive president of the Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE) Pedro Pablo Quirós as project manager to build the San José-San Ramón highway corridor.
Both lawmakers summoned the BCR after criticizing the appointment of the former chairman, who was sentenced to one year and three months in prison in 2010 for the alleged misuse of a helicopter paid by the institution to attend former legislator Ronald Solís’ daughter’s wedding in Zarcero, during a tour to inspect the damages caused by Cinchona earthquake.
Although Court III of the Supreme Court of Justice annulled the sentence and ordered a new trial after which Quirós was acquitted, Jorge Arguedas and Ottón Solís rejected the appointment, especially because the designation was made by an administration from Partido Acción Ciudadana, that, during campaign, made people question the ethics in the public function.
Arguedas, legislator from Frente Amplio, recalled that during Quirós’ management, ICE acquired obsolete equipment that never worked and accused him of being responsible for the bankruptcy of Radiográfica Costarricense (RACSA).
The legislator asked the BCR to rectify and told Quirós to return to the United States.
Ottón Solís, founder of the PAC, insisted that using public goods for personal use has only one name: corruption.
The legislator insisted that the BCR should dismiss Quirós and not to encourage people who have used public resources for personal gain.
Quirós left his position as Executive President of ICE in May 2010 due to a recommendation issued by the Public Ethics Office.