Varela wielding axe to high profile failures
THERE WILL BE no massive layoff in the public sector but some big names have already been listed for the tumbril leading to the guillotine as President-elect Juan Carlos Varela prepares for his first day in office.
He will demand the resignations of four officials who, in his opinion, have failed to properly do their jobs.
They are Electoral Prosecutor Eduardo Peñaloza condemned in the reports of visiting observer teams, who was at loggerheads with the Electoral Tribunal; Supreme Court Chief Justice José Ayú Prado, who had been fast tracked by President Ricardo Martinelli to the Attorney General’s office and then to the Supreme Court and is involved along with tourism manager Salomon Shamah in allegations of exerting pressure on a judge to make decisions in favor of the government and its allies; Comptroller Bianchini Gioconda who was pitch forked into the post from her job working for Martinelli’s supermarket chain and is under the spotlight to explain a $200,000 Christmas party for her staff and lack of oversight of scores of direct government contracts.;and Tocumen International Airport controversial General Manager Juan Carlos Pino whose handling on contracts at the airport, has been under constant fire. Varela made the statements on Tuesday April 6 on TVN.
Varela said he plans to address problems in the judiciary, which has been condemned locally and internationally, by removing by constitutional and legal means those officials who have failed at their jobs.
Ayu Prado was appointed for a period of 10 years in 2012. Pino was appointed for seven years, while Peñaloza's mandate ends in 2018. Bianchini is comptroller until 2014.
Varela also spoke of constitutional reforms, which was a promise that was part of his government plan that introduced during in his campaign. Varela said that he will announce his proposed reforms. on July 1, when he takes office
"Constitutional reform is important, and we will promote it," the president-elect said.
He recalled that he was the only presidential candidate who valued the work of the constitutional reform commission, and he has already appointed a legal team to assess the recommendations of the commission.
Varela also pledged that there will be no massive layoffs in the public sector and that he wants to lay the groundwork for what he called a "functioning democracy," where state resources are not used to attack political rivals and reward supporters.
As president, Varela will appoint a new attorney general and administrative attorney in his first year. The terms of the current appointees, Ana Belfon and Oscar Ceville, expire Dec. 31.
Italy-Panama corruption investigation
He said the next attorney general will be responsible for investigating alleged complaints of corruption in the purchase of equipment from the Italian consortium Finmeccanica, which has prompted a corruption investigation in Italy. Belfon, said the case was closed.
He promised that, as president, he will provide all the information that the judicial authorities may require. It is a case which "should be investigated," he said. He added that it is inconceivable that the investigation in Italy has mentioned prominent Panamanian officials, but "here [in Panama] nothing has been done."
Varela pledged again to ensure the efficient management of state resources and to avoid "partisan politics." He said resources will not be used to exalt the image of the president or benefit personal agendas.
He also said he would not use "call centers" to offend or attack anyone, as was done in the outgoing administration, but to respond to requests for social assistance.
Depoliticizing police
He announced that the director of the national police will be career officer to avoid a "political operation" of the security forces. He also spoke of strengthening the department's Internal Affairs Office.
He reiterated his willingness to resume diplomatic relations with Venezuela and its President Nicolas Maduro, who he called a "colleague." He said he will send a mission to Caracas to address this issue.
pledged that there will be no massive layoffs in the public sector and that he wants to lay the groundwork for what he called a "functioning democracy," where state resources are not used to attack political rivals and reward supporters.
As president, Varela will appoint a new attorney general and administrative attorney in his first year. The terms of the current appointees, Ana Belfon and Oscar Ceville, expire Dec. 31.
Italy-Panama corruption investigation
He said the next attorney general will be responsible for investigating alleged complaints of corruption in the purchase of equipment from the Italian consortium Finmeccanica, which has prompted a corruption investigation in Italy. Belfon, said the case was closed.
He promised that, as president, he will provide all the information that the judicial authorities may require. It is a case which "should be investigated," he said. He added that it is inconceivable that the investigation in Italy has mentioned prominent Panamanian officials, but "here [in Panama] nothing has been done."
Varela pledged again to ensure the efficient management of state resources and to avoid "partisan politics." He said resources will not be used to exalt the image of the president or benefit personal agendas.
He also said he would not use "call centers" to offend or attack anyone, as was done in the outgoing administration, but to respond to requests for social assistance.
Depoliticizing police
He announced that the director of the national police will be career officer to avoid a "political operation" of the security forces. He also spoke of strengthening the department's Internal Affairs Office.
He reiterated his willingness to resume diplomatic relations with Venezuela and its President Nicolas Maduro, who he called a "colleague." He said he will send a mission to Caracas to address this issue.
