Supreme Court adjourns talk on Assembly criminality action

 AS PANAMA’S National Assembly continues to turn   blind eye to the goings on of its members, the Supreme Court on Tuesday Mar. 28  spent three and a half hours debating  whether or not to admit or deny  a criminal complaint against  Assembly  president Rubén De León.

After reviewing audio and video provided by the complainant the court, decided to postpone a decision until Thursday, Mar. 30

The criminal action was filed by lawyer Ernesto Cedeño on Mar. 15, following alleged irregularities in the management of donations totaling $14 million and the issuing of $68 million in contracts for professional services.

The irregularities came to light  following  a La Prensa investigation.

In the complaint, Cedeño asked the magistrates to investigate the president of the Assembly for conspiracy, embezzlement and electoral crimes.

According to a statement issued   by the court, the discussion began with an overview by Judge Cecilio Cedalise, who was assigned the case, and then a broader discussion by the rest of the plenary.

“”The court has the opportunity on Thursday to fight against corruption,” Cedeño  adding that the National Assembly has failed to take action on the matter.