17,000 “no test” drivers scandal

THOSE WHO COMPLAIN about driving standards in Panama with some 210 road  deaths so far this year,  will not be surprised to hear  that  a former transit official  is alleged  to have issued17,000 driver licenses without tests,

The  ninth anti-corruption prosecutor has charged former transportation official Manuel Salgado with offenses against public administration in relation to alleged irregularities in the issuing of 17,000 driver licenses.

The anomalies were recorded during the Ricardo Martinelli admibistration between 2010 and 2014.

Salgado formerly worked for the transit agency ATTT, and the irregularities were detected by the new administration of the agency. They were informed of the irregularities by administrators with the company Sertracen, which issues licenses.

The anti-corruption prosecutor’s office has been investigating the matter since October 2015.

According to the investigators, Salgado allegedly issued directives to Sertracen exempting persons from licensing exams. He requested exemptions for as many as 17,000 people, among them licenses for public transport drivers.