Pedro Ernesto

Pedro Ernesto do Rego Baptista (25 September 1884 – 10 August 1942) was a medical surgeon who became mayor of Rio de Janeiro in mid-1931. His two terms were from 30 September 1931 to 2 October 1934; and from 7 April 1935 to 4 April 1936.

Biography Pedro Ernesto would later be known as the first Populist Brazilian politician. His victory in the elections for mayor was partly due to the backing of then-president of Brazil, Getúlio Vargas. During his term in office, he made several social and populist reforms in the fields of health care, education, and indigenous culture (to his credit stands the revival of the Samba). considered the maximum commendation of the municipality.

It was severely questioned in 2006, after the ex-deputy Roberto Jefferson, confessed defendant and impeached for participating in the "mensalão scandal", was decorated with it by his own daughter, councilor Cristiane Brasil. The cartoonist "Jaguar" returned his medal, given eight years earlier by the then councilman Chico Alencar.