Chamber of Commerce backs criminal investigation of Martinelli

PANAMA’S Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture has thrown its support behind the, Supreme Court of Justice (CSJ) last week admitting the criminal case” against former President Ricardo Martinelli (2009-2014), for alleged crimes against public administration.

The investigations are related to alleged irregularities in purchases of National Assistance Program.
“We welcome the decision by the Supreme Court last week and hope that former officials cooperate with investigations to determine responsibilities,” said the Chamber.
“[Elected]Officials are called to serve the state, not to be served by the state.”
The Chamber of Commerce believes the start of theinvestigation that has been undertaken against several former officials of the previous government marks the moment to strengthen public policies to achieve the separation of state powers, in harmony and cooperation with the rest of the vital forces of country.
However, the processes must be “without affecting what we have so they strengthen our society, acting always with maturity, in strict compliance with due process and the principles of legality established by law, “
The business association stressed that one should not forget that there is also the responsibility of entrepreneurs and citizens to know and comply with the legal rules governing public procurement, which were created to safeguard the assets that belong to everyone.
“We insist on the need to promote public policies that promote consensus that the nation needed to democrarically achieve socio-economic development for all Panamanians in democracy,” says the Association’s newsletter