Podcast Summary: "Las 8 de Hoy por Hoy" – El juicio al fiscal general del Estado, visto para sentencia

Date: 13 November 2025
Host: SER Podcast (Àngels Barceló)
Duration: ~16 minutes

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the closing phase of the unprecedented trial against Spain’s Fiscal General del Estado (Attorney General), Álvaro García Ortiz. As the court prepares to issue a verdict, the episode provides an in-depth recap of Ortiz’s defense, political fallout, broader debates on corruption, relevant national and international news, and reflection on the 10th anniversary of the Paris attacks. The reporting is insightful and brisk, combining straight news with critical commentary in SER’s signature analytical tone.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Trial of Fiscal General Álvaro García Ortiz

• Context: Álvaro García Ortiz is being tried for allegedly leaking an email in which Alberto González Amador (partner of Isabel Díaz Ayuso) admitted to two fiscal crimes. The process is historic and highly scrutinized.
• Ortiz's Key Defense Points:
  • Refused to answer prosecution questions, firmly denying any illicit leak.
  • Categorically stated he did not share the controversial email with journalists or speak with Miguel Ángel Campos (SER journalist).
  • Emphasized his commitment to protecting the integrity of Spain’s Fiscalía.

Notable Quote:

• “La verdad no se filtra, la verdad se defiende.”
  (“The truth is not leaked, the truth is defended.”) – Álvaro García Ortiz (00:54, 01:20)

[00:54] Ortiz’s Emphatic Defense

• Stresses his primary concern is the dignity and protection of Spain’s prosecutors, repeating that he did not leak any information.
• He borrowed the memorable phrase “la verdad no se filtra, la verdad se defiende” from a stranger before the hearing, making it his own mantra.

[01:10] Direct Denial of Leak and Media Contact

• Ortiz: “No, no lo he hecho llegar. No mantuve ninguna conversación con el Sr. Campos. Que quede muy claro. No cojo llamadas desde que soy fiscal general del Estado porque me volvería loco.”
  (No, I did not send it. I did not have any conversation with Mr. Campos. Let it be clear. I don’t take calls since becoming attorney general or I’d go mad.)

[01:34] Two Pillars of Defense

• Journalists testified seeing the email before Ortiz received it—corroborating his claim.
• Responded to accusations for deleting his phone and Gmail, explaining these actions were “security hygiene,” not evidence tampering.

[03:41] Systematic Message Deletion

• Ortiz explained his phone is wiped monthly for security.
• “Tengo borrados automáticos. Tengo borrados 24 horas.” (I have automatic erasures. Everything’s deleted after 24 hours.)

[04:25] On Deleting Gmail

• Ortiz explained his Gmail address was publicly exposed in a leaked police report, leading to security threats.
• “Empiezo a tener problemas. Mensajes amenazantes. Amenazantes y feos. Muy feos.” (I started having problems. Threatening messages. Ugly ones.)

[04:48] No Evidence Found by Investigators

• Despite access, UCO (Civil Guard’s Organized Crime Unit) investigators found no incriminating data in his accounts.
• Court experts spoke only of ‘indications,’ not direct evidence.

2. Political Fallout and Broader Context

[05:12] Congress Debates Amid the Trial

• The episode jumps to proceedings in the national parliament, where the trial is used as ammunition in political skirmishes.
• The opposition (PP) accuses the government of corruption, referencing ongoing national cases:
  PP Rep (06:01): Accused Sánchez of controlling legal institutions and fostering opacity.

[06:54] PSOE–Junts Rift

• The episode notes growing tensions between governing PSOE and its critical parliamentary ally, Junts, especially over legislative votes and amnesty issues.

[07:34] Key Parliamentary Votes and Nuclear Energy

• Coverage of a pending vote on nuclear power plant extensions, influenced by pressure from the energy sector and Catalan business interests.

3. Government Stability and Electoral Prospects

[08:04] Pedro Sánchez’s Strategy

• Facing the imminent loss of budget approval, Sánchez leans into lambasting PP regional management and tries to rally his base ahead of critical regional elections.
• Allies press for electoral clarity as coalition majority wobbles; government’s legislative agenda is uncertain.

4. PP, Vox and Regional Negotiations

[09:19] PP–Vox Dynamics in Valencia

• As PP seeks to cement regional governance deals with Vox, the latter issues new demands (focused on water infrastructure), which PP downplays as manageable.

5. International News

[11:20] Jeffrey Epstein Scandal Reaches Trump

• The show picks up coverage from Fox News and U.S. outlets on Democrats releasing emails implicating Donald Trump in the Epstein affair.
• New emails allege Trump spent hours at Epstein’s home with a named victim—sparking calls for full document disclosure (“el perro que aún no ha ladrado es Trump”).

Notable Quote:

• “Ahora mismo firmaré una petición para que se difundan los papeles de Epstein.” – Adelita Grijalva, U.S. Congresswoman (12:06)

[13:13] U.S. Gov’t Shutdown Ends

• Trump signs a decree ending the 42-day federal government shutdown, the longest in U.S. history, restoring some social support payments but with ongoing political wrangling.

6. Tech and Consumer Protection

[13:56] Twitter Fined Over Crypto Scam Ads

• Spain’s CNMV fines Twitter five million euros for failing to prevent scam crypto ads impersonating celebrities and fabricating news.

[15:12] New Law Against Spam Calls

• Forthcoming legislation will require all sales calls to use a specific prefix; unconsented calls can be blocked, and contracts from such calls rendered null.

7. Remembering the Paris Attacks

[14:35] Tenth Anniversary of the 2015 Paris Attacks

• Emotional testimonies from survivors, contextualization of France’s memorials led by President Macron.
• Noteworthy is survivor Claude Manuel’s reflection:
  • “Nunca he estado en el odio.” (I’ve never had hatred.)

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• Álvaro García Ortiz:
  “La verdad no se filtra, la verdad se defiende.” [00:54, 01:20, 02:20]
• Álvaro García Ortiz:
  “No cojo llamadas desde que soy fiscal general del Estado porque me volvería loco.” [01:10, 02:37]
• Javier Bañuelos (SER):
  “Hace un borrado sistemático de todos sus mensajes al menos una vez al mes.” [03:33]
• Álvaro García Ortiz:
  “Empiezo a tener problemas. Mensajes amenazantes. Amenazantes y feos. Muy feos.” [04:25]
• Adelita Grijalva (U.S. Congresswoman):
  “Ahora mismo firmaré una petición para que se difundan los papeles de Epstein.” [12:06]
• Claude Manuel (Bataclan Survivor):
  “Nunca he estado en el odio.” [15:46]

Segment Timestamps

• [00:11] – Headline: Trial of the Fiscal General del Estado
• [01:10–04:48] – Key defense arguments and details of phone/email erasures
• [05:12–07:12] – Parliament debates, anti-corruption accusations, and PSOE–Junts tension
• [07:34–09:19] – Congressional votes, amnesty law, and government stability
• [09:19–11:13] – PP–Vox negotiations in Valencia region
• [11:20–13:52] – Jeffrey Epstein case, U.S. government shutdown
• [13:56–14:32] – Twitter fined for crypto scam ads
• [14:35–15:46] – Paris attacks anniversary: survivor’s testimonial
• [15:50–16:23] – New spam call legislation overview

Conclusion

This dense and dynamic episode provides not just a wrap-up of a historic trial but a lens into the political, social, and even international ripple effects it stirs. With meticulous reporting and pointed commentary, "Hoy por Hoy" blends legal scrutiny with urgent discussions of political integrity, public trust, and collective memory in Europe.

Listeners come away fully briefed on the day’s headline issues and how they interlock—from Spanish courts to the halls of U.S. power to global remembrances in Paris.