The Government sub-delegate in Valencia admits he was in bed with lumbago on the day of the DANA and did not attend the Cecopi

The sub-delegate of the Government in Valencia, José Rodríguez Jurado, declared this Monday in the Senate that on October 29, 2024, the day of the DANA that left 232 dead, he was “bedridden” due to lumbago and that, for this reason, he could not attend the Integrated Operational Coordination Center (Cecopi), where he was replaced by the general secretary of the Government Delegation.

During his appearance before the Investigation Commission of the Upper House on the management of the DANA, José Rodríguez Jurado explained that he was on vacation, a period he had planned “before the summer,” but that on October 28 he fell ill and remained in Valencia the next day. He also specified that he did not take sick leave, although his condition prevented him from going to the emergency coordination device.

“He was not in full faculties”

Asked several times by PP senator José Antonio Monago about his role in emergency management, the sub-delegate assured that he did not give any orders during the day “as he was not in full faculties,” although he did speak a couple of times with the colonel of the Valencia Command and instructed him to direct requests for help to the general secretary who was replacing him.

Rodríguez Jurado also indicated that he received calls and messages from mayors, local police, and municipal officials requesting assistance, and that he forwarded these requests to the person in charge who was assuming his duties at the Cecopi. In his account, he detailed that the night before his reincorporation he had his last conversation with the general secretary around one in the morning.

The sub-delegate explained that he joined the Government Delegation at 7:30 a.m. on October 30, despite still having “severe pain.” “I did everything possible, I dragged myself out of bed, I told my wife to tie my shoes,” he recounted, while insisting that “he could not stay home in such a circumstance.”

PSOE criticism for the debate in the Senate and Congress

In parallel, the socialists have questioned the purpose of the sub-delegate's appearance in the Senate and have accused the PP of using it to “cover up” the appearances that were taking place this Monday in the Congress investigation commission on the DANA.

According to them, while José Rodríguez Jurado was speaking in the Upper House, the president of the Valencia Provincial Council, Vicente Mompó, and the former Minister of Justice and Interior and head of Emergencies of the Generalitat during the DANA, Salomé Pradas, were appearing in the Lower House.

“You are here solely and exclusively because the Popular Party wants to cover up and make it seem equal,” said the socialist senator, who also reproached that, after 31 previous appearances in the Senate commission, none of the people cited belonged to the Valencian Government, and again demanded the presence of the DANA victims in the Upper House.