Chilean Congress in mea culpa over political corruption

The Chilean Congress made an unprecedented mea culpa Tuesday for a series of corruption cases involving lawmakers that have eroded public confidence in the institution.

In the first review of the state of the Congress in its 204-year history, lawmakers acknowledged the damage caused by corruption, including accusations of tax fraud leveled against four opposition figures, two of them members of Congress.

"I recognize that many times we have not lived up to what the citizenry expected of us. In the political and business spheres we have witnessed practices that we are determined to eradicate," said Senate President Patricio Walker, in a ceremony in Valparaiso attended by President Michelle Bachelet.

Bachelet's popularity has fallen to 24 percent, the lowest of her two terms in office, amid a scandal involving her eldest son, Sebastian Davalos, who was accused of benefiting from political influence in a shady land deal.

On top of that were revelations that two Chilean conglomerates, Penta and Soquimich, had financed campaigns of ruling party and opposition politicians, dealing a blow to Bachelet's image and that of the political system as a whole.

"It is necessary, it is urgent, to separate once and for all the influence of money from politics and the public affairs of the democracy," said Manuel Nunez, head of the lower house.

Responding to the scandals, Chilean investigators found that politicians had been submitting invoices for non-existent services to companies as a means of funding their campaigns.

Senator Ivan Moreira and Felipe de Mussy, a deputy, have been accused of tax fraud, but have been shielded from prosecution because they have parliamentary immunity.

Rodrigo Penailillo, a former interior minister and right hand to Bachelet, also faces accusations of tax fraud in a similar case.

The Congress has said it will act quickly to approve a series of bills presented by Bachelet that toughen penalties against lawmakers involved in illicit activities.

Chile's election law allows financial contributions to political campaigns but with limits and for specific periods of time.