Attempted Paitilla land grab has government twisting

Hours after a Panama newspaper had revealed the transfer, free of charge, of land overlooking the Bay of Panama, to political allies of President Ricardo Martinelli with the support of the the land registry,  the president brushed it aside.

He replied to a La Prensa question: "I am told, more than 200,000 titles have occurred since 1963 in the same way." The message was sent from his Blackberry. The deal had been supported by the Director of the land registry Anabelle Villamonte.
The land, 11,379 square meters in a prime real estate location, sits in front of Via Italia and overlooks the Bay of Panama.

The president’s response on Friday, was not echoed by Finance Minister Alberto Vallarino who called for an investigation into the deal. He was supported by former Panama mayor, now Governor, Mayín Correa who was well aware that the land had originally been given to the city for use as  a park. She asked for an  investigation of the officials who participated in the proceedings.
As the storm grew Martinelli, was on an unannounced  trip to Italy, accompanied by at least one of the businessmen mentioned in the exposure. After widespread media coverage and comment he had a change of heart  on Saturday and told reporters that  the case would be "investigated to the end" to determine what happened.

 At noon, the president revealed that he would propose at the next Cabinet Council "expropriation" of that land, whose assessed value is $11.3 million. However, hours later he was forced to correct his own statement after advisers told him that when expropriated, the plaintiff is entitled to compensation.
Meanwhile, the Governor of Panama, Mayín Correa asked for an  investigation of  the officials who participated in the proceedings. Vallarino, has ordered an inquiry into the  process of adjudication "to determine if there are  remedies for reversing the award and transfer, as a possible equity injury to the State ".
Pineda Cesar Segura, who obtained the area free of change  claimed to have taken possession of it since 1987- although it is the product of a filling made by ex mayor Mayín in 1997.
Lawyer Asvat Ebrahim, who gave the alarm on the transfer of land originally intended for a park,  said:"If the authorities fail to seek legal action soon, the state could definitely lose more than one hectare transferred free of charge by the principle of public faith registration … a matter of hours. "

In a strongly worded editorial, La Prensa, referring to a Martinelli campaign slogan that people in previous governments were elected with empty pockets and left millionaires said:  "There is no doubt that in this government some  entered millionaires and will leave billionaires."