A musical background to re-election

INVESTIGATIONS are underway into the sudden interest in music among (Democratic Change (CD), candidates during the lead up to the last election. There musical appreciation was underlined by visits to schools in their electoral districts as they handed out $12 million of instruments made in China.

Their generosity, was plugged on social media as “donations” even though the equipment was purchased with public funds
The money came from the scandal ridden National Assistance Program (PAN ), under the management of Rafael Guardia Jaén Among the “donor” deputies who managed to get reelected were Mario Lazarus,Nelson Jackson, Tito Carlos Afu, Edwin Zúñiga Dana Castaneda, and Leandro Avila.
In addition to musical instruments, Deputy Afú gave, to Francisco Ignacio Castillero Guararé School in Los Santos, 3,300 300 boots for the girls marching battalion, and 900 boots for female bodyguards, according to his blog.
musical instrument business was monopolized by two companies created during the government of Ricardo Martinelli: Country Max, SA and Nulato Commercial Inc., both interrelated, reports La Prensa.
In addition, two dignitaries of Country Max, S.A. -Margarita Santamaria and Luis Carlos Sanchez appear on the board of Digimart International, SA, which had a $7 million turnover in the PAN for the sale of implements and sports uniforms, bags with food and appliances.
In the records of the National Customs Authority appear no imports of musical instruments made by Max and Nulato Commercial between 2013 and 2014.
The only imports of that category for that period were registered in the name of General Provider of Supply, SA which, coincidentally, with Edwin Cummings Commercial director of Nulato, as a central figure. General supplier of Supplies, S.A. is another company that sold nearly $ 2 million dollars’ worth of equipment and tools to the PAN, according to the Comptroller General.
Former Minister of Education, Lucy Molinar, who transferred millions of PAN dollars for the purchase of musical instruments, defended theecontracts.
On Radio Panama Molinar said that there is nothing irregular”. “It gives me great pain to see attempts to smear something so beautiful. I’m going to show the country that not everyone is a thief, “said Molinar.
Meanwhile, prosecutors opened an official investigation to determine whether there were irregularities and cost overruns on the purchase of such equipment, whose quality has been condemned by school musical directors