OPINION: Dirty Business ruling

THE SECOND SUPERIOR Court of Justice recognized the complexity of the New Business case in a decision in which he granted an extra  term of one year – renewable for another year – to investigate the network of corporations and bank accounts that facilitated the purchase of a medium of communication, supposedly with public funds, during the government of ex-president Ricardo Martinelli.  This decision recognizes the result of the investigation conducted by the First Prosecutor’s Office against Organized Crime and puts the scope of these investigations in proper dimension which, like the Odebrecht case, involves numerous elements that justify its declaration of complexity. Society demands more and more loudly that the truth behind the alleged embezzlement of public funds comes to light, and that the culprits, in addition to paying for their crimes, return everything stolen to the treasury. Soon this same court must decide on the adequacy of the terms of the Odebrecht case.   We Panamanians need to recover tranquillity and renew trust in our institutions. So, gentlemen, your role in the fight against corruption is Fundamental and your failure will make history. We will be vigilant! … La Prensa Nov, 19