Former Energy Minister Diego Pardow was notified of a constitutional accusation over an electricity billing error, with opposition pressure to vote on it before the November 16 elections. Chamber President José Miguel Castro expressed openness to a session on November 15, though Deputy Jaime Mulet stressed respecting deadlines to ensure due process. The government will handle Pardow's legal defense, citing an institutional principle.
On Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at 9 a.m., Diego Pardow, former Energy Minister from Frente Amplio, was notified of the constitutional accusation filed by the opposition. It stems from a methodological error by the National Energy Commission that led to excessive charges on electricity bills, resulting in his removal from office by the President to assume political responsibility.
Pardow has ten business days to respond, until November 12, a period overlapping with a legislative pause for the November 16 elections. The reviewing commission, chaired by Deputy Jaime Mulet (FREVS), will have six additional business days to issue a report recommending approval or rejection of the bill. The opposition, which backed Mulet's election, is pressuring to expedite the process and vote in the Chamber on November 14, 15, or even afterward on November 20, potentially disrupting the district week and affecting election campaigns.
Chamber President José Miguel Castro (RN) stated: “Por mi parte, no tengo ningún problema en sesionar cuando la comisión revisora de la acusación la despache. Esto podría darse quizás el día 15 de noviembre (a 24 horas de la elección) o el día 20 de noviembre (jueves posterior a los comicios), después que se vote la Ley de Presupuesto”. However, Secretary General Miguel Landeros warned of adhering to Article 42 of the Organic Law of Congress, which requires the Chamber to convene after the six days from the accused's appearance have elapsed, pointing to November 20 if Pardow responds on the 13th.
Mulet tempered his initial stance: “Hay plazos que dependen del acusado y yo no voy a violar esos plazos para garantizar el debido proceso”. The opposition recalls the case of former Minister Carolina Tohá, where deadlines were not strictly followed because she expedited the process, but parliamentary lawyers agree to respect the principle if Pardow chooses to take the time.
The government will assume Pardow's legal defense, justified by the Minister Secretary General of the Presidency as defending an institutional principle, citing precedents like that of former Minister Marcela Ríos. The Constitution allows accusations up to three months after leaving office, as with Andrés Chadwick. Officialists argue political responsibility was already assumed, but the norm seeks to enforce constitutional responsibilities beyond removal.