Martinelli moving away from reality say former presidents

 THREE FORMER Panama presidents said Sunday that President Ricardo Martinelli is moving away from reality and is wrong in claiming that his administration has achieved more than previous ones.

They point out that all the governments have contributed building blocks to the country.

Former President Ernesto Pérez Balladares (1994-1999) said: "I believe that this is like the guy who puts the last tile on the roof and then claims he built the house without remembering who built the foundation and the structure. It is nonsense."
He said that the current economic level of the country wouldn't exist without other governments, and defended his decision to privatize the electricity corporation,saying it drastically reduced the country's deficit

"Had it not been done the Panamanian debt would be $25 billion more," he said.

Former President Mireya Moscoso (1999-2004) said that previous administrations achieved many important goals, including the founding of Social Security and that while the current administration has been a success, in her estimation, it can't ignore what happened prior to it coming to power.
Martín Torrijos (2004-2009) whose administration built phase one of the Cinta Costera and launched the Canal expansion. said that it is "ridiculous" not to recognize the efforts of all Panamanians, since all previous governments played an important role in the progress of the country.
"I understand the election has caused comments to move away from reality, but all governments have contributed to the progress of the country," he said.