OFF THE CUFF: Deputy shield law may be history

The controversial bill No. 214, which proposes to repeal Act No. 55 of 2012, known as the “shield law” which establishes a special investigation mechanism for the deputies of the National Assembly and the Central American Parliament, will be discussed in the Assembly this week, with some of the deputies apparently showing a change of heart and recognizing growing public anger over laws granting them impunity.

Following talks between of the Assembly president, Ruben De Leon, and the different political parties, there are signs of consensus on some issues that could lead to approval of the pending second reading in the full legislature.
They include the length of time for the Supreme Court to institute proceedings against the deputies; along with the elimination of the mandatory “ideal” case requirement in order to get a complaint heard.
PRD deputy Leandro Avila said that “will adapt [the proposal] to the demands of society so that signals that they want to protect the deputies are gone.”. Panameñista Luis Eduardo Quirós said that a majority of deputies want to remove the shield law on the grounds that it is a privilege.,

But whether those facing possible investigation are prepared to vote in favor of the implementation of justice reamins to be seen.
Last Thursday, the full Supreme Court combined four separate lawsuits seeking to get the shield law declared unconstitutional. Two complaints were filed by the lawyer Carlos Rubio, another by lawyer Silvio Quiñones and a warning of unconstitutionality by Judge Oyden Ortega.