Martinelli lauds achievements of three years in office
"When I took office three years ago the economy was in crisis and is now better.They underestimated the ability of this government”, said President Ricardo Martinelli on Sunday July 1.
He was speaking in the National Assembly on the third anniversary of his taking power.
The president said , that the measures implemented by the government "not only made Panama grow but we became the role model … we have changed transport, tourism, security, housing, wages. water and technology ….Never has a government invested so much in the Panamanian family and improved the quality of life for Panamanians.”
He added that because of these works and the obvious economic growth, "We' re not just valued from inside, but applauded from outside,"
The president read his speech which was followed carefully by the Front for Democracy, whose coordinator, Mariano Mena, The Front for Democracy, formed by opposition parties, unions, cvil associations and unions, has rejected the governments actions, believing that democracy has been eroded along with the independence of branches of government and the judiciary.
Before beginning the speech, Martinelli said his message would be conciliatory and he devoted much of his speech to reviewing the work done during three years of administration. He sttopped several times to repeat: “Panama, I will tell you where the money from your taxes has gone.
He stressed social-focused programs, the universal distribution of funding, bonds, uniforms and school supplies,the plan for the delivery of laptops to students. the construction of Line One of the Panama Metro Bus and said construction of the next phase of the Cionta Costera will become a reality.
He added that for the first time Panama is not a "tax haven" and that in tourism, "we have broken all records". He reviewed each of the productive sectors. And reiterated to the Panamanian people: Here's your money" he " We have to protect the the change we have made ??in these three years. we have to protect it … we must "work together" Martinelli also took the opportunity to point out that in his speech on January 2, at the same podium when he spoke of "empresaurios" (so called entrepreneurs), referring to those who do not pay taxes, not those who do comply with their taxes.
"If I offended anyone, I apologize," said Martinelli.
The statements brought many criticismsat the time and the Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture regretted the speech because it looked "confrontational".
Martinelli said that "our democracy is intact " while regretting the actions of violence that occurred last month especially during the special sessions of the National Assembly. "There is no excuse for groups wishing to oppose the democratically chosen government," he added. "Some just do not measure what they do," and mentioned the participation of the Catholic Church to build bridges of understanding.
"When we make mistakes we must correct course as necessary."
Martinelli, made no reference to the creation of a 5th Chamber of the Supreme Court or the sale of state assets, government initiatives that led to stet demonstrations and confrontations.
After completing his speech and ceremonies in the National Assembly, President Martinelli, accompanied by members of his team-walked to Plaza 5 de Mayo, where thousands of Democratic Change party members who had been bused in, awaited their leader.
