Judicial proceedings have been launched against President Juan Manuel Santos for altering the shortlist of candidates for the position of prosecutor general last year, El Espectador reported.
The Accusations Commission of Congress heard Judge Marco Antonio Velilla testify on Thursday that Santos had no right to present a new short list of candidates, even after the Supreme Court failed to elect a new prosecutor general after months of elections.
Former President Alvaro Uribe originally presented a shortlist of three candidates for the position, however, after months of indecision on behalf of the Supreme Court, once President Santos took office he presented a second shortlist of candidates.
At the time, Velilla explained that “from a practical point of view, six candidates have been short-listed where by law only three should be allowed.” He continued, saying, “we have been subjected to unconstitutional and illegal procedures.”
In December 2010, Viviane Morales was elected as prosecutor general from Santos’ shortlist, even though the Supreme Court was warned not to make any decision until the complaint was resolved.