Top cop pension deal attacked

GOVERNMENT spokesmen have been quick to react to a storm of criticism over an executive decree favoring senior police officers who move to work in another entity.

It was received with skepticism when it was revealed that one of the signatories to the decree was a beneficiary.

The Executive has invoked a law passed 19 years ago to justify the decree issued last week.

Minister of the Presidency Álvaro Alemán said that the decree only changed one paragraph of the law.

He said the law was changed to prevent punishing officials who left the police department. , “This decree seeks to ensure that a member of the department does not lose the benefit of the pension,” said Alemán  and  will retire with the last salary they received as a law enforcement officer.

He added that the law was originally approved during the government of Ernesto Pérez Balladares.

The decree was signed by President Juan Carlos Varela and Minister of Public Security and ex senior police officer Alexis Bethancourt, who is one of those who will benefit from the law.

Tuesday, lawyer Ernesto Cedeno presented a demand of nullity against the decree saying it is outside the authority of the president.

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