English 
Spanish 
4 min read
0 comments
Family relationships in focus! Brazilian deputies transfer millions in Pix amendments to city halls led by parents, siblings and spouses. With more than R$171 million distributed in 2024, the practice exposes a game of interests that challenges ethics and transparency in the use of the public budget. The crisis between the Powers intensifies the debate on the subject.
In the Brazilian political scenario, where power relations are frequently contested, a practice has been attracting attention due to its peculiarity and potential controversy.
In 2024, federal deputies are allocating public funds directly to city halls headed by close relatives, a move that raises questions about transparency, ethics and the true nature of the use of public money.
According to data from the Siga Brasil portal analyzed by newspaper Metropolis, more than R$171 million in special transfer amendments – known as Pix amendments – were sent in 2024 to city halls led by parents, children, siblings, spouses and other relatives of federal deputies.
This modality allows the direct transfer of resources from the Union to municipalities, without the need for agreements or prior technical approval, and registered a record use in the last year, especially due to the municipal elections.
The highlight of Coari and other emblematic cases
Among the 20 municipalities benefited, Coari, in Amazonas, leads in amounts received.
the federal deputy Adail Son (Republicans), who is also the mayor's cousin Keitton Pinheiro (PP), allocated impressive R $ million 18,4 to the city.
This family relationship brings to light a political history marked by controversy: Adail Filho's father, Adail Pinheiro, was prevented by the courts from taking office as mayor, but regained the position in 2024 after a new election.
Another notable case occurs in Tucurui, in Pará, where the deputy Andreia Siqueira (MDB) forwarded R $ million 16,8 to the municipality commanded by her husband, the mayor Alexander Siqueira (MDB).
This pattern is repeated in several regions of the country, revealing a map of relationships between deputies and mayors that deserves public scrutiny.
The table of resources distributed among the deputies
Below, see the detailed list of deputies, their relationships with the mayors who benefited and the amounts sent:
| Deputy (author of the amendment) | City | Mayor | Relationship (deputy → mayor) | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adail Son | Coari (AM) | Keitton Pinheiro | Cousin → Cousin | R$18.434.456 |
| Amanda Gentle | Caxias (MA) | Fabio Gentil | Daughter → Father | R$8.185.790 |
| Andreia Siqueira | Tucuruí (PA) | Alexander Siqueira | Wife → Husband | R$16.771.585 |
| Daniel Barbosa | Arapiraca (AL) | Luciano Barbosa | Son → Father | R$13.000.000 |
| Daniela do Waguinho | Belford Roxo (RJ) | Waguinho | Wife → Husband | R$10.000.000 |
| Domingos Neto | Tauá (CE) | Patricia Aguiar | Son → Mother | R$10.085.792 |
| Edward Bismarck | Aracati (CE) | Bismarck Maia | Son → Father | R$6.000.000 |
| Elmar Nascimento | Campo Formoso (BA) | Helm Birth | Brother → Brother | R$10.000.000 |
| Eriberto Medeiros | Cumaru (PE) | Mariana Medeiros | Husband → Wife | R$4.000.000 |
| Fernando Coelho Jr. | Petrolina (PE) | Miguel Coelho | Brother → Brother | R$4.700.000 |
| Gustinho Ribeiro | Lizard (SE) | Hilda Ribeiro | Husband → Wife | R$7.285.792 |
| Iza Arruda | Victory of Santo Antao (PE) | Paulo Roberto | Daughter → Father | R$5.000.000 |
| Junior Mano | New Russians (CE) | Giordanna Mano | Husband → Wife | R$3.050.000 |
| Meire Serafim | Sena Madureira (AC) | Mazinho Serafim | Wife → Husband | R$12.185.792 |
| Ricardo Maia | Toucan (BA) | Ricardo Maia | Father → Son | R$11.728.311 |
| Roberio Monteiro | Acarau (CE) | Ana Flavia Monteiro | Husband → Wife | R$8.135.792 |
| Roberio Monteiro | Itarema (CE) | Eliseu Monteiro | Brother → Brother | R$2.600.000 |
| Rodrigo Gambale | Ferraz Vasconcelos (SP) | Priscilla Gambale | Brother → Sister | R$6.804.824 |
| Thiago de Joaldo | Itabaianinha (SE) | Danilo of Joaldo | Brother → Brother | R$9.485.000 |
| Yandra Moura | Japaratuba (SE) | Lara Moura | Daughter → Mother | R$4.385.000 |
Crisis and negotiations between the powers
The use of Pix amendments caused a crisis between the Powers in 2024.
In August, the minister Flavio Dino, from Federal Supreme Court (STF), suspended the transfers, making the resumption conditional on the adoption of transparency measures.
After negotiations and the approval of a complementary bill, Dino authorized the release in December, but the crisis remains.
The conflict was not restricted to the legal sphere. Members of parliament expressed dissatisfaction with the new rules imposed by the STF, claiming that they make it difficult to exercise their mandate.
The Attorney General's Office (AGU) tried to relax these guidelines, but was unsuccessful.
In response, the federal government coordinated the creation of an interministerial ordinance to provide greater legal security for transfers.
The legal “soap opera” is expected to continue into 2025, especially with the start of a new legislature.
The pressure for greater oversight of transfers contrasts with the resistance of deputies, who defend their autonomy in the use of resources.
Arguments of those involved
The deputies mentioned in the survey state that their actions are aligned with the interests of their electoral bases.
Thiago Joaldo (PP-SE) justified that sending resources to the municipality of Itabaianinha follows constitutional criteria and reflects the support of the local population.
The deputy Meire Serafim (União-AC) highlighted that Sena Madureira is a priority in his term, due to its significant vote in the region.
The central issue, however, is not the legality of the transfers, but the lack of transparency and objective criteria in the distribution of these funds.
For experts, this practice can weaken the population's trust in institutions and reinforce the perception that public resources are used as political bargaining chips.
And you, what do you think about the allocation of public resources to municipalities managed by relatives? Leave your opinion in the comments!
