University Rector under fire for lack of cooperation in audit.

THE RECTOR of the University of Panama, Gustavo Garcia de Paredes,  got a weekend blast in writing from Panama’s Comptroller over the “difficulties ” while trying to complete an audit which is being performed to determine possible irregularities and alleged administrative corruption.

Comptroller Federico Humbert wrote: “We have met with poor communication that support various operations, lack of sorted records of property owned by the University of Panama, which is not possible to reconcile the accounting records with the physical reality of the properties,”
Also, he stated that “the staff of the University of Panama maintains a fearful position on the questions of the auditors and suspicion to deliver documentation for exploration.”
In the letter, Humbert said the Government Statement of Internal Control Number 3.3.4.6., On the supporting documentation states that public bodies must adopt procedures to ensure that the operations and administrative actions have the documentation to sustain them for further verification.
“In light of the above, we request the appropriate location of the documentation we require for the completion of audits in progress, and instruct officials of the different administrative procedure to provide smooth cooperation and delivery, without exception, documents and areas requested, “said the comptroller.
He stressed that the Government Internal Control Standard provides that the administration is responsible for safeguarding the duly ordered and available documentation to the competent courts and the Comptroller General of the Republic, according to the provisions governing the matter.
Humbert said his request must be complied with in view of the provisions of Article 81 of Law 32 of 1984, which states that all public servants give to the Comptroller cooperation as it may request in the performance of his duties and they supply the reports, documents, records and other evidence requiring that purpose.