Pressure builds on Varela to veto procurement law

WHILE PRESIDENT Juan Carlos Varela has been in Washington DC spreading the word that Panama is dedicated to transparency in its financial affairs, back at home, groups representing multiple different interests  have been rallying under the same flag,  calling on him to prove the point by vetoing the recently approved  Public Procurement Act.

The latest cry comes from The Panamanian Association of Business Executives (APEDA) which has urged him to not sanction the law recently passed  by the National Assembly.

The union believes that “the opportunity to review a law that was in line with international standards to combat the fight against corruption, money laundering and terrorism was lost.”

“Apede believes that the amendments to the Act should be reviewed, mainly because they harm the principle of transparency that has been  much promulgated and do not obey the general consensus of society, which expects a pristine handling of  the  process that has been the backbone  of serious issues of corruption, by both private companies and public officials, “said a statement from the guild.

“The work that has been done is not enough and there  are  opportunities for substantial improvements” says the release  recalling that the institution submitted to the National Assembly in March this year proposed amendments tthat “were not considered”.

During the discussion, the full legislature rejected a proposal by seven deputies who asked to incorporate a clause disqualifies companies convicted in Panama and abroad, for crimes against public administration, capital or crimes against collective security laundering , economic wealth and public faith.
Earlier this week, different groups of civil society, including Transparency International, called for a partial veto of the law. The Independent group Movin, has also raised its voice.

Meanwhile the Brazilian construction company Oderbrecht, whose president and senior executives have been jailed for corruption continues to receive contracts from the Panamanian government, and has declared its interest in bidding for the fourth canal bridge.