Government on spin-doctor spending spree

TRUMPETING your own achievements or getting spin doctors to do it for you is never cheap and Panama tax payers will be footing a nearly $900,000 expenditure on three direct contracts to promote the government’s image in it dying months.

The administration of Ricardo Martinelli, which has less than a year to has disbursed the money in 2013, to raise its image, and evaluate and manage any institutional crisis along the way says La Prensa.

The money was used in the recruitment of three consultancy companies,  granted directly, through the Ministry of the Presidency, headed Roberto Henriquez.
One of the consultants Consulting Management Corporation was awarded $295,000. The company, linked to Ecuadorian José Dapelo Benitez, brother of Mario Elgarresta, who currently advises Martinelli, along with Brazilian Joao Santana, known as a specialist in campaigns for re-election .
Dapelo Benitez is also is an executive of the company LNG Group Panama, SA, in which he is a partner of Alfredo Mello Aleman who received a government contract for energy, based on natural gas for the period 2017-2036.
The government also hired Strategic Promotions, SA for $259,000 for institutional crisis management.
Meanwhile, the government's research is evaluated by Ariston Consultants Group Inc., which received a direct contract of $294.,000 .
The Office of the President was silent on the hiring of the consultants said La Prensa on Saturday, October 5.