Electoral prosecutor refuses to meet Electoral Tribunal judges

Panama’s Electoral Prosecutor Eduardo Peñaloza has has turned down a request to meet with the Electoral Tribunal judges claiming they have treated him with a lack of "respect".

On Thursday, December 5 Judge Erasmo Pinilla sent a letter to Peñaloza inviting him to a meeting on Monday, December 16, but the prosecutor declined and claimed that the letter was "unacceptable and disrespectful."

"Throughout this time I have shown great patience, serenity and listened to everything that they have had to say about this institution, but on this occasion I cannot accept the contents of this note which injures the independence of the institution that I lead," said Peñaloza in a written response to Pinilla.
He also said he would not meet with them anytime in the future.
Peñaloza was appointed by President Ricardo Martinelli and the CD-controlled legislature. The CD has been at odds with Pinilla over decisions by the TE which have gone against CD groups.