Vallarino hits out at slow progress in land scandals investigation
Panama’s former Minister of Economy and Finance, has hit out against the slow progress in investigations of land titling scandals
He also criticizes Presidency officials for not having the "manhood" to admit they recommended the appointment of a key figure in the case.
Anabelle Villamonte former director of Anati, the land management authority which approves land titles was closely involved in the controversial case of land titling in Juan Hombrón.
Alberto Vallarino, who reappeared after several weeks outside the country, criticized the Public Ministry (MP) over 12 free land titles in to corporations in Juan Hombrón under the administration of Villamonte, who resigned from Anati, says La Prensa.
Vallarino said that everything is a distraction for the government. According to Vallarino, before leaving the ministry, in late September the granting of a title to property in Puntal Paitilla was hidden in a balloon."But nothing has happened. They should be questioning the attorney about these things.There are allegations but no one has got to the bottom of the scandal, and everyone beats around the bush," he said.
In the case of Juan Hombrón, he said he can ensure that when there was Cadastre under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Finance they would have asked for the qualification records from the 12 companies in Juan Hombrón
The Cadastre Directorate disappeared when Anati was created in October 2010.under the direction of Anabelle Villamonte.
Vallarino said that it was "the Alejandro Castillero group and the Presidency" that recommended the appointment. "Be man enough to recognize things," he said.
An investigation by La Prensa identified a number of irregularities in the titling of 54 hectares of land to 12 companies in Juan Hombrón.
Villamonte played, among other lawyers, a major role in the fabric of the companiesthat achieved the title, whose executives are also members of the family company of the Minister of the Presidency, Demetrio Papadimitriu. There have been calls for Papadimitriu's resignation.
Vice president, Juan Carlos Varela, said Sunday that the Cabinet will propose that the 54 hectares be returned to the State.