Panama facing “crisis of epic proportions”

PANAMA’S Chamber of Commerce  has stepped up to the plate and joined the growing calls  for   reforms in the Supreme Court.

“It is clear that we are going through an institutional crisis of epic proportions,” said the chamber. “Citizens perceive that every day there are fewer institutions and people that can be trusted.”

The business group said that the changes need to be made in a climate of “peaceful coexistence and tolerance,” but was firm in the stance that the status quo cannot be maintained. They called for the changes to be made by reforms to the Constitution.

Last week Chief Justice José Ayú Prado and other court leaders filed a complaint against Judge Harry Díaz for allegedly “failing to meet standards of transparency and integrity in judicial management.”

Ayu Prado has  refused to consider stepping down, and President Juan Carlos Varela, who, at the time of his election said that he would ask for Ayu Prado’s resignation, has distanced himself from the growing uproar, with Civil Society calling for all nine judges to step down.

Meanwhile the National Assembly Accreditations Committee seems to be paralyzed  as it sits on a score of denunciations against judges.

Diaz has accused former President Ricardo Martinelli in interfering in judicial affairs when he was in office. Ayú Prado and others have demanded Díaz provide proof of his allegations.