Brazil's Rousseff presents anti-corruption package

Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff reacts during a launching ceremony for the Anti-Corruption Package at the Planalto Palace in Brasilia March 18, 2015. [Photo/Agencies]

RIO DE JANEIRO -- Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff presented on Wednesday a package of anti-corruption measures to be voted by the country's Congress.

The measures came at the time when the latest poll showed that her government's approval rate reached the lowest level of 13 percent.

The package features bills which, if approved by the Congress, will toughen punishment of corruption.

A bill foresees criminal responsibility of companies for crimes against public administration, with paying bribes to be punished for up to 20 percent of their profits.

Another foresees immediate seizure of all goods if convicted of illicit enrichment, while still another stipulates that only people with a spotless record can be nominated to appointed positions in government.

"My commitment to the fight against corruption is coherent with my personal life, my political practice and my acts as president," Rousseff said at the ceremony to present the package.

The president stressed the need to punish corruption swiftly and harshly and said that her government has a way to deal with some administrations that do not create conditions for the investigation of corruption cases.

The measures are an answer to the many protests that occurred on Sunday against the Rousseff administration. Thousands of citizens took to the streets on that day, many of whom called for the president's impeachment.

It was not the first time Rousseff suffered massive protests. In June 2013, millions of Brazilians took to the streets to call for better public services and protested against governmental corruption.