Taxpayer funded ham distribution commendable – Martinelli

Panama President, Ricardo Martinelli, has rushed to the defense of Democratic Change (CD) legislator "Chello Sergio" Galvez. who has used $675,000 of public money to distribute 30,000 hams to his constituents, 

Galvez, who has announced his intention to run for mayor of Panama, is also a representative of El Chorrillo, He gave the hams to residents of his electoral circuit (8-7, which includes San Felipe, Santa Ana, Calidonia, Curundú, Ancon, Bella Vista, Bethany and Pueblo Nuevo).
While the use of taxpayer money to promote a sitting legislator planning to run for reelection has been condemned as against the constitution and a way of buying votes, Martinelli, attacked critics and said the distribution was a product of the efforts of Galvez.: ”I think that is very commendable… no other politician in the past has given to his people."
At a  press conference last Thursday Galvez, instead of clarifying the doubts that arose out of the purchase of the hams, dodged questions  and attacked journalists and media said La Prensa.
"The delivery of hams is God’s work ," said Galvez in reply to questions asking him to reveal where the money came from.
An abbreviated bidding process led to the purchase of the 30,000 hams from Provider Táchira SA, as recorded in Panama Compra.
The statement   used to purchase the products,  reads : "Supply of 30,000  smoked picnic pork hams with bone of 10 pounds each, with a tolerance of 10% for distributed among the families of the neediest 8-7 circuit ".
Provider Táchira SA was the same company from which the National Assembly bought 1,500 hams and 500 turkies by direct purchase , for $49,000 and $46000, respectively for distribution among its officials.
July Abrego, director of the Institute of Agricultural Marketing (IMA), said on TVN that the company would sell American hams 8 and 10 pounds for $17 at the Estadio Rommel Fernandez.
Abrego said the hams are not subsidized, but the IMA bought at a good price and quality, and will be cheaper than in the market where they sell to for $28.00. .
The purchase made by deputy Gálvez were also 10 pounds, but at a higher price. than those sold by IMA. Each 10-pound picnic ham Galvez bought would be priced around $ 22.50.
The last time the International Food Corporation, SA imported hams was in April 2012, the amount was $65,000, including import tax. Hams were 830 boxes (30,500), £10 each They from the U.S. with an expiry date of 2013, said La Prensa.
Gerardo Solis, former Electoral |Court Judge said that Galvez should  be investigated by the Supreme Court. but added that it is necessary that the Electoral Office investigate township representatives and mayors who are acting in the same way as Gálvez, so that these officials know that there are lines  they should not cross.
He said that officials, especially aspiring candidates, should know they are exposed to criminal prosecution for official use of property and resources to benefit their image.