Haddad on Jaques: "The law has to be applied regardless of fans"

The former Minister of Finance and pre-candidate for the governor of São Paulo by the PT, Fernando Haddad, commented this Friday (19) on the right of defense of the government leader in the Senate, Jaques Wagner (PT-BA). He was the target yesterday of the 9th phase of Operation Compliance Zero, which investigates fraud related to Banco Master.

According to investigators, Jaques and his family had received undue benefits through Augusto Ferreira Lima, former partner of Daniel Vorcaro at the financial institution, in exchange for support in projects in the Upper Chamber.

In an interview with the Kritikê podcast, Haddad stated that, despite Jaques being a well-known person, if any type of irregularity is indeed found, "the law has to be applied regardless of fans".

"This issue of ethical issues in politics, what do you have to defend? You have to defend the following: the law has to be applied regardless of fans. I can't, I'm rooting for justice to be done, right? I'm going to regret if a person close to me made a mistake. I'm going to regret it because it's a person I knew and everything, but I can't wish, even for the good of society, that the law is not applied", he declared.

The politician from São Paulo also took the opportunity to reinforce PT's speech defending the autonomy of the PF (Federal Police), showing that the institution has the freedom to investigate politicians from any political spectrum.

Haddad took the opportunity to compare the stance of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) with the corporation in relation to his predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro (PL).

"Congratulations, President Lula, because in your government the institutions work. You are not changing the superintendent of the Federal Police to protect your son, as Bolsonaro did. Bolsonaro has changed. Bolsonaro even said: 'If I have to change the Minister of Justice, I will change the minister'", he added.

Haddad charges Flávio
Also during the interview, the former minister also tried to link the Master's crisis to senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PL-RJ), referring to the leaked audios in which the presidential pre-candidate asks Vorcaro for money to finance the film "Dark Horse", a biopic of the former president.

Haddad took the opportunity to demand more clarification from the senator and suggested PF operations against the parliamentarian in the case. According to the PT member, the production of a "series B" film about Bolsonaro's story would cost between R$5 million and R$20 million and not the R$134 million requested by Flávio from Vorcaro.

"You ask for R$ 134 million and send it to the United States instead of making the film here too. Maybe there was a little search there, a little pressure to see what happened there, right? [...] So, Flávio, who is seeking the highest position in the country, maybe he could also follow Jaques' example, explain what he is doing with so much money, right?", he concluded.

The operation
In total, the 9th phase of Operation Compliance Zero carried out 18 search and seizure warrants issued by Minister André Mendonça, of the STF (Supreme Federal Court) in Bahia, São Paulo and the Federal District.

In addition to search and seizure, precautionary measures were also taken, such as prohibition of contact between those investigated and suspension of passports.

The first phase of Operation Compliance Zero was launched in November 2025, when the PF arrested Daniel Vorcaro, then owner of Banco Master, for the first time. On that occasion, among six other targets, Augusto Lima was also arrested.

That month, the BC (Central Bank) decreed the extrajudicial liquidation of Master.

Sought by CNN Brasil, Augusto Lima's defense stated that today's measures are "unnecessary" and denied any illicit practice.

"In any case, the measures will help to demonstrate that the facts discovered at this stage of the investigation are strictly lawful", says the statement.

"Augusto Lima has always acted within the limits of the law, with transparency, technical responsibility and compliance with the rules that govern the financial system and public administration."

To CNN Brasil, senator Jaques Wagner (PT-BA) said that he never acted in favor of Banco Master and that the money seized by the Federal Police is the result of legal daily payments, declared and not used in official international missions.

Read Jaques Wagner's note in full
"Senator Jaques Wagner (PT-BA) clarifies that he is not a defendant, has not been denounced and has not been accused in any process related to the facts investigated. The parliamentarian calmly follows the progress of the investigations and maintains confidence in their conduct.

It is worth clarifying that the aforementioned apartment was never part of the parliamentarian's assets. The senator also denies acting in favor of Banco Master or any other financial institution.

Regarding the cash values seized, the advisory informs that the amount is the result of legal daily allowances, declared and not used in official international missions. Finally, Senator Jaques Wagner reiterates that he remains at the entire disposal of the authorities to provide any clarifications, with the certainty that the truth will prevail."

Alcolumbre returns gesture to Jaques after PF operation | LIVE CNN

*Under supervision of Lucas Schroeder

Source: CNN