Electoral crimes in limbo as judges play ping pong

PANAMA’S Administrative Prosecutor Rigoberto González  has moved to end the ping pong between The Supreme Court and the Electoral Tribunal; (TE) that has left four  cases involving electoral crimes  in limbo.

He said on SundayMarch 6,   that he believes that the Supreme Court is the competent body to investigate members of the National Assembly, which is clearly established by the Constitution.

He made these comments amidst the controversy between the court and the TE over which entity has the authority to investigate members.

On the one hand, the Supreme Court has decided not to investigate members denounced for electoral crimes, pointing out that those cases belong  to the TE.

On the other hand, the TE has maintained its position that the court is the sole entity in charge of investigating members.

The dispute has left four cases related to electoral crimes involving members in the air

According to González, the Constitution provides that the Supreme Court is the entity that investigates members, and does not make any exception to the type of crime involved.

He also said that the Constitution establishes that no one may be judged by anyone but a competent authority, and for members that authority is strictly designated to the Supreme Court.

Grounds for dismissal are clearly established when a person is judged by a court that is not competent to hear the case,” he said.