|  ElCiudadano.cl |  Noticias

El Ciudadano

Original article: Otra vez alterado: Ahora acusan a Poduje de conducta «irrespetuosa y prepotente» en reunión con parlamentarios en Región del Biobío

Minister Iván Poduje Accused of «Disrespectful and Arrogant» Behavior During Meeting with Biobío Legislators

In a troubling trend, Housing Minister Iván Poduje is once again making headlines due to allegations of disrespectful behavior towards legislators, showcasing a violent and uncontrolled demeanor.

This time, a group of parliamentarians from the Biobío Region, which includes 6 deputies and 2 senators, met with the state secretary to discuss the situation involving the Spanish construction company Tapusa, which has abandoned several projects in the Concepción Province.

Reports indicate that Poduje’s outburst was triggered by a press release from Deputy Antonio Rivas (PS), revealing that Tapusa claims the state owes them 6 billion pesos. The Minister of Housing quickly denied this, stating that they were «up to date» with the company.

This news reportedly infuriated Poduje, who suggested that Deputy Rivas might be a «lobbyist» for Tapusa, causing unrest among those present.

One attendee, Deputy Álvaro Ortiz, president of the Christian Democratic Party (DC), remarked after the meeting, «We attended with the best intent to hear Minister Poduje discuss the halt of Tapusa’s projects in Biobío. Unfortunately, his attitude was arrogant and disrespectful.»

Ortiz added, «As a deputy, I will always be open to dialogue, but it must occur within a framework of respect,» further stating in an interview with Radio Biobío that, «This is a situation I have never witnessed with a State Minister (…), he shows no respect for anyone or anything.»

He noted that as the DC party, they filed a formal complaint with the government, after which they received apologies from Ministers Alvarado and Quiroz: «Of course, we accepted them, because with people like Minister Alvarado and Minister Segpres (García Ruminot), one can communicate and make progress, but not with the arrogant, irresponsible, and totally out-of-control behaviors exhibited by Iván Poduje.»

Meanwhile, journalist Christofer Espinoza from Radio Cooperativa described the events on X, detailing that during the meeting, Senator Enrique Van Rysselberghe sent Poduje a link to a news article regarding Deputy Rivas’s announcement of the ministry’s debt to the Spanish firm, leading Poduje to raise his voice, arguing that according to MINVU, they were up to date with Tapusa.

Espinoza recounted Poduje stating, «Tapusa hires good lawyers but also good lobbyists,» implying that Rivas was engaging in this kind of activity by publicizing the company’s claims. Check out the complete thread below:

Deputy Considers Legal Action

As this article concludes, Deputy Antonio Rivas announced he is considering legal action against Poduje for allegedly associating him with a connection to Tapusa.

In statements to Radio Biobío, the deputy explained, «Yesterday they tried to assign me a special connection with the company. That is an offense, and in response, I am speaking with my lawyers.»

Rivas reiterated that it was Poduje who, «out of control, repeatedly made extremely serious statements and disrespected a deputy,» criticizing, «This minister loves to attack people.»

We will continue to provide updates.

La entrada Minister Iván Poduje Accused of «Disrespectful and Arrogant» Behavior During Meeting with Biobío Legislators se publicó primero en El Ciudadano.