Original article: El “señora de la feria” escaló hasta su propio partido: RN lleva a Camila Flores ante el Tribunal Supremo

Controversy Surrounds Camila Flores as RN Takes Her Before the Supreme Tribunal Amidst ‘Fair Lady’ Remark

The controversy regarding the derogatory use of the term ‘fair lady’ by Camila Flores has escalated within her own political party, prompting the leadership of Renovación Nacional (RN) in the Valparaíso Region to initiate internal disciplinary actions against the senator.

The decision, made before the party’s Supreme Tribunal, seeks to resolve the controversy sparked by Flores’ insults directed at fellow senator Fabiola Campillai (Independent), which have raised alarms both within the party and among the public.

The sanction was triggered during a debate about a proposal by right-wing lawmakers, which was approved by the lower house to pardon Patricio Maturana, a former Carabineros captain sentenced to 12 years and 183 days of effective prison time for the crime of illegal coercion resulting in severe injuries. He was found responsible for firing a tear gas canister that struck Campillai in the face on November 26, 2019, while she was on her way to work, causing her to lose her vision, smell, and taste.

During the debate, a tense exchange occurred between the two senators, escalating when Flores accused Campillai, stating: «You came here playing the victim» and «the ‘fair lady’ persona slipped out.»

The RN’s regional leadership in Valparaíso justified the referral to the higher body due to the overwhelming number of complaints received from both its members and the public. Regional Secretary Eduardo Urbina explained that Flores’ remarks generated numerous complaints, discomfort, and questions about the conduct of the parliamentarian.

“We received a lot of complaints about those specific expressions and believe that it is appropriate for the party’s higher authority to determine if those expressions constitute regulatory or statutory violations,” he told Radio Bío Bío.

“We believe that it is appropriate for the party’s higher authority to determine if those expressions constitute regulatory or statutory violations,” he emphasized, clarifying that RN’s regional leadership prefers to leave the resolution of the conflict to the party statutes.

The discontent extended beyond the political group to the vendors themselves, who felt their work was stigmatized by the derogatory remark.

Paola Morales, president of the Confederation of Free Fairs, expressed the deep dissatisfaction of the association, noting that their identity and work were used as a synonym for rudeness or lack of education. «As a community of vendors, we were hurt to hear the phrase ‘fair lady’, and that it was used as a disqualification,» Morales stated, highlighting the collateral damage caused by the senator’s comment to a sector traditionally known for its effort and connection to the community.

Flores to Face RN’s Supreme Tribunal Again

Alongside RN’s Supreme Tribunal’s actions, the Senate table, chaired by Paulina Núñez (RN), decided to forward the matter to the Ethics Committee of the Upper Chamber. This move means that Flores will not only face an internal trial for her verbal misconduct but could also be sanctioned by the body responsible for upholding parliamentary decorum and good practice.

The dual investigation underscores the seriousness with which this incident has been taken in political circles and the institutions’ determination not to normalize such aggression.

This new process before the right-wing party’s Supreme Tribunal is not an isolated incident in Camila Flores’ career, but adds to a similar situation she has faced since May 8.

On that occasion, the national leadership of RN made the same determination after police personnel entered the Senate to search her office in connection with a fraud investigation involving public funds, known as the ‘Flores quota’, which examines the alleged mechanism used by the senator to improperly appropriate public funds after requesting cash payment for part of her staff’s salaries to cover personal expenses. This situation reportedly lasted for at least seven years, involving approximately $300 million.

During that time, RN’s Secretary General Katherine Martorell stated that they had provided the necessary information to the tribunal for measures to be taken according to the statutes, highlighting a pattern of controversies keeping the parliamentarian in the judicial spotlight within her own party.