Following a decision reached yesterday afternoon, Wednesday 17 February 2016, the Central Electoral Board (JCE) is suspending the assignment of the social management fund used by legislators, and better known as the “barrilitos” (little barrels) in the Senate and the “cofrecitos” (little boxes) in the Chamber of Deputies, until this June when the three months of official campaigning come to an end. The decision was taken after the meeting of the members of this election agency under the authority of its “legal faculties.” The administrative authorities in both chambers of Congress are now responsible for implementing this measure. According to media sources most legislators receive hefty sums to carry out “social works” for their constituents.
It is widely believed that these funds are used for political patronage.
http://www.diariolibre.com/noticias/politica/la-jce-suspende-el-barrilito-y-decide-sobre-el-pedido-de-los-partidos-EC2774431
