Hoy por Hoy – SER Podcast

Episode: "Así construyó Santos Cerdán la trama por la que cobraba mordidas a cambio de amañar obras públicas, según la UCO"

Date: November 19, 2025
Host: Àngels Barceló

Brief Overview

This episode centers on the corruption network allegedly built by Santos Cerdán, a former high-ranking PSOE (Spanish Socialist Workers' Party) official. The hosts delve into a recent UCO (Unidad Central Operativa de la Guardia Civil) report that details how Cerdán and associates supposedly collected kickbacks in exchange for rigging public works contracts. The discussion examines the mechanisms, beneficiaries, and political context of the scandal, especially as it reverberates through both major parties in Spain.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Context and Political Climate

• [00:00] The episode sets the stage: the scandal breaks just before a parliamentary session where the leader of the opposition will confront the Prime Minister, intensifying scrutiny over corruption on both sides of the political spectrum.
  • "Es decir, que hay corrupción en los dos lados, aunque la especialmente grave es la que afecta a alguien que ha estado hasta hace cuatro días ocupando un puesto de muchísima responsabilidad en el Partido Socialista..." (Àngels Barceló, 00:21)

2. Genesis of the Network & Mechanisms

• [01:14] The heart of the corruption is traced back to Cerdán's involvement in the company Servinábar, predating his tenure as Organization Secretary of PSOE.
  • Official documents show Cerdán was to receive 45% of company shares, though he denied this had legal effect.
  • New evidence: Anchón Alonso, Servinábar’s manager, later sold his own shares but never those attributed to Cerdán, validating Cerdán's deep entrenchment.
• [01:50] The plot evolved with Cerdán’s political ascent, particularly as he facilitated contracts for Servinábar via consortia (UTEs) in Navarra and later leveraged influence in the Ministry of Transport.
• [02:20] Acciona, a major construction company, is implicated: contracts were rigged in exchange for a 2% commission funneled through generic invoices, typically maskable as consultancy fees or other expenses. Family members were included as ghost employees, with only one legitimate contract—to Cerdán’s own brother-in-law.

3. Family and Personal Enrichment

• [03:02] The scheme wasn’t isolated to Cerdán:
  • His wife, sister, and brother-in-law all reportedly joined Servinábar or related cooperatives.
  • Family enjoyed corporate credit cards for everyday and luxury expenses (restaurants, shopping at El Corte Inglés, and vacations), as observed in WhatsApp exchanges among company insiders.
  • "A la Paqui la conocen todas las vendedoras del Corte inglés y un día sí y otro no. Restaurantes. Ya les vale..." (Read from company chat logs, 03:49)
  • The company covered rent and furnishings for Cerdán’s Madrid residences, totaling up to €44,000.

4. Intersecting and Competing Corruption Networks

• [04:10] The investigation distinguishes between two mafia-like cells:
  • The “Cerdán cell” centers on Servinábar, with Coldo García—initially Cerdán’s subordinate in Navarra—installed as a trusted operative in Madrid, evidence of their deep personal and hierarchical bonds.
  • Separately, Ábalos (former Transport Minister) and Coldo collaborated independently with other companies (OPR, LIC) aiming to win contracts, sometimes clashing with Cerdán’s group over territorial control.
  • The so-called "cupo vasco" or Basque quota was code for Cerdán’s sphere of influence.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "La clave... es la participación de Santos Cerdán en Servinábar. Hasta ahora constaba solo un documento… ahora la UCO aporta un indicio más, unos meses más tarde de ese reparto de acciones."
  (Analyst, 01:14)

• "El 75% de los ingresos de Servinavar, hasta 6,7 millones, procedían de Acciona."
  (Analyst, 02:45)

• "Todo el entorno familiar se benefició de la situación... Constan los whatsapps entre Anchón Alonso y su mujer Carmele, en los que se quejan de que Santos y su mujer están dando la nota con los gastos de la tarjeta de empresa."
  (Analyst, 03:13 & 03:49)

• "La investigación... apunta a dos supuestas organizaciones. La liderada por Santos Cerdán... Y la segunda es la de Ábalos con Coldo, Aldama y las empresas OPR y LIC que intentaban amañar por su cuenta..."
  (Analyst, 04:24)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:00 - 01:14: Setting the political context, intro to UCO report
• 01:14 - 03:02: Mechanisms of the corruption network, Servinábar’s role, and familial involvement
• 03:02 - 04:10: Family enrichment, lifestyle details, and company expenditures
• 04:10 - 05:12: Two criminal “cells,” intersecting interests, and emerging conflicts
• 05:13 - End: Wrapping up and preview of parliamentary implications

Tone and Style

Throughout, the tone is analytical yet urgent, blending journalistic rigor with conversational candor. Àngels Barceló navigates the scandal's complexity while keeping a pointed sense of the political stakes and repercussions for both major parties.

Summary prepared as a detailed guide for listeners and interested readers unable to attend the live broadcast.