Panamas no-show legislators show no change

Threats of a tightening of the screws on no-show members of Panama’s National Assembly have not born fruit. Absenteeism has increased.

 A recent report by the National Assembly reveals that it still remains a challenge to get elected members to show up for legislative sessions.

La Prensa says the document shows that absenteeism has worsened during the current legislative session, from July to October 2010 with most of the absentees being members of the ruling party for change, Cambio Democrático (CD).
CD legislator José Muñoz said that in spite of promises to end absenteeism "it has been very difficult."
Last year, former Assembly President Jose Luis Varela amended internal rules to create sanctions, such as the withholding of wages, if sessions could not be started due to a lack of a quorum.
Absenteeism is expected to remain a problem this week after the Executive called special sessions during the Assembly’s two-month break. Achieving a quorum is expected to be a challenge.