With the abstention votes of National Action (PAN) and Institutional Revolutionary (PRI), the Government and Population Commission of the Chamber of Deputies approved tonight the opinion that reforms the Organic Law of the Federal Public Administration for the creation of three secretaries of State and the Digital Transformation and Telecommunications Agency.
The Presidency’s proposal contemplates the creation of the Anti-Corruption and Good Government Secretariat which will replace the Secretariat of Public Function; the Secretariat of Science, Humanities, Technology and Innovationinstead of National Council of Humanities, Sciences and Technology (CONAHCYT) and the Women’s Secretariatwhich will replace the National Women’s Institute (INWOMEN).
The deputy Andrés Cantu Ramírez (PRI) said that they share the centralist vision of the exercise of State functions to fulfill the purposes of society.
“There is a setback when functions that are already decentralized or autonomous are centralized, in the case of the powers of the subjects of transparency, access to public information and protection of personal data that are today the HENNA, They would become part of the so-called Anti-Corruption and Good Government Secretariat.
“Likewise, the bombastic name of the Anti-Corruption Secretariat cannot hide the fact that the fight against corruption cannot be guaranteed from the government itself because it is judge and party. We ask ourselves, for example, who will ensure that the anti-corruption secretary is not corrupt and at an even higher level, can the anti-corruption secretary as a simple office secretary guarantee that whoever appointed him does not commit acts of corruption? “said the PRI member.
He added that the same centralizing spirit occurs with the Secretariat of Science, Humanities, Technology and Innovation, which will now concentrate the tasks that a 100% decentralized organization was already doing.
“In the same way, also with a concentrating spirit that is, by the way, more conservative than liberal, the creation of the Digital Transformation and Telecommunications Agency with it several concerns arise, among them a main one: the tenth transitory points out that despite these structural changes, in no case are expansions to expenditure budgets authorized for the current fiscal year and subsequent ones,” said Cantú Ramírez.
The deputy Leonel Godoy Rangel (Morena) explained that this proposal by the president regarding reforms to the Organic Law of Public Administration has been a kind of privilege for the heads of the executives.
“It has been for all the presidents of the Republic, for all the governors; I was governor and we can make proposals for modifications to the Organic Law and they are normally respected, and in this case, what the president is doing Claudia Sheinbaum It is with the right that assists him because the head of the Executive is indivisible, he is unique, there is no co-responsibility, we do not have a semi-parliamentary regime, we have a presidential regime.
“The federal public administration, like the state public administration or the municipal public administration, are those who help, those who contribute to exercising a better way of governing, the one who won the election at the time (Felipe) Calderónwon with half a point and modified the Organic Law of Public Administration, Claudia Sheinbaum won with more than 30 million votes and has the right to present these initiatives, and I believe that the least we can do is agree with these proposals, because they only modify the function of the federal public administration apparatus,” the Morenista emphasized.
✅ The Government and Population Commission approved the opinion that reforms, adds and repeals various provisions of the Organic Law of the Federal Public Administration.
— H. Chamber of Deputies (@Mx_Diputados) November 12, 2024
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Interview with Political Analyst Dr. Mariana Torres on Recent Changes to Mexico’s Federal Public Administration
Time.news Editor (T.E.): Good afternoon, Dr. Torres, and thank you for joining us today to discuss the recent reforms approved by the Government and Population Commission of the Chamber of Deputies. There seems to be significant change underway in Mexico’s Federal Public Administration. Can you give us a brief overview of the main reforms that were approved?
Dr. Mariana Torres (D.T.): Good afternoon! Yes, the changes are notable. The recent approval has led to the creation of three new secretariats: the Anti-Corruption and Good Government Secretariat, the Secretariat of Science, Humanities, Technology and Innovation, and the Women’s Secretariat. This overhaul is intended to replace existing bodies like the Secretariat of Public Function and the National Women’s Institute.
T.E.: Interesting. Some opposition members, such as Deputy Andrés Cantu Ramírez from the PRI, have raised concerns that these reforms centralize powers that were previously decentralized. What do you think about that perspective?
D.T.: Cantu Ramírez’s concerns touch on a vital issue in governance—decentralization versus centralization. When powers are centralized, it can potentially undermine transparency and autonomy, as he pointed out regarding the Anti-Corruption Secretariat. The idea that a government can manage its own corruption risks creates a conflict of interest. How can we trust that those in power will hold themselves accountable?
T.E.: That’s a valid point. What about the creation of the Digital Transformation and Telecommunications Agency? What are the implications of that reform?
D.T.: The Digital Transformation and Telecommunications Agency is a significant development, especially in our increasingly digital world. However, the stipulation that there will be no budget expansions for this agency raises questions about its effectiveness. Without adequate funding, how can it effectively manage and drive innovation in these sectors?
T.E.: Deputy Leonel Godoy Rangel from Morena mentioned that these modifications have been a privilege for heads of executives over the years. Are these changes part of a larger trend in Mexican governance?
D.T.: Absolutely. This reflects a historical pattern where executive authority gains more control over administrative functions. While it can potentially streamline decision-making processes, it also raises alarms about the balance of power in government. It’s vital for democracy that these reforms include checks and balances, otherwise, we risk creating an overly centralized system where dissenting voices are marginalized.
T.E.: One of the central themes in this reform is the fight against corruption. Do you believe that these structural changes will effectively address corruption in government?
D.T.: That’s the crux of the matter. The success of any anti-corruption initiative hinges not just on creating bodies but also on ensuring they’re equipped with integrity and independence. The skepticism expressed by lawmakers toward the effectiveness of the Anti-Corruption Secretariat is well-founded. Without transparency and genuine oversight mechanisms, simply reorganizing structures may lead to a façade of accountability rather than real progress.
T.E.: It sounds like a delicate balancing act. In your opinion, what steps should be taken to ensure these reforms lead to positive outcomes for the citizens?
D.T.: First, it’s crucial that these new secretariats operate transparently and are accountable to independent bodies. Broader public engagement in monitoring these reforms can also ensure they reflect the needs and voices of Mexican citizens. Lastly, continuous assessment of these changes will be necessary to adapt as needed and truly prioritize the principles of good governance.
T.E.: Thank you, Dr. Torres. Your insights into the implications of these reforms are incredibly valuable. As we continue to follow this story, it’s clear that the path ahead will require careful navigation to achieve the goals of transparency and good governance.
D.T.: Thank you for having me, and I look forward to seeing how these developments unfold in the coming months!