CSS boss sidesteps Comptroller
SOCIAL SECURITY (CSS) Director Estivenson Giron under fire for signing a $2.1 million contract for a forum at a high end Panama hotel, said Friday, Nov 11 that it is going forward because it’s an international commitment made by Panama.
He said the opening ceremony of the forum will be held at 9 am Monday. Nov 14 at the Westin Playa Bonita.
Giron’s statements came after Comptroller of the Republic Federico Humbert said he would seek to have the $2.1 million contract for the organizing of the forum nullified by the Supreme Court.
Giron said that Humbert is entitled to submit resources permitted by law.
In defense of the contract, the director said that the forum will be cheaper than comparable events.
“The Comptroller’s Office cannot allow an agency to execute a contract clearly onerous for the state,” said the comptroller.
Various sectors of organized civil society have questioned the spending on this activity while the CSS has serious financial problems.
