Electoral Tribunal survives another challenge

ANOTHER apparent attempt at destabilizing Panama’s Electoral Tribunal crashed on with confirmation that Tribunal Electoral (TE) Judge Erasmo Pinilla is a law graduate of the University of Panama.

The University  issued a statement on Tuesday April 15 certifying that he graduated in law and political science. University Chancellor Miguel Angel Candanedo Ortega certified that Pinilla earned his degree on June 13, 1975, according to the school files.

The constitution requires that TE judges need a law degree.
The issue arose when Javier Bosso Campbell, a former employee of Pinilla, filed a request with the school requesting evidence that he graduated from the school.
Pinilla said he changed his name shortly before graduating, but his identity number remained the same.
Pinilla has said the questions about his credentials has been raised to undermine the credibility of the TE before the May election reports La Prensa
"Someone is planning a fraud, and for that they want to disqualify the TE," he said.
President Ricardo Martinelli, who has been fingered for his attacks on the TE, dissociated himself from any attempt to destabilize the Tribunal by posting a message on the social network Twitter supporting Pinilla.