Judge clips wings of drunk driving ex-Minister

An ex-Minister of Social Development in the Martinelli government awaiting trial on corruption charges and recently involved in a drunk driving escapade has had his wings clipped by a  criminal court judge.

On Monday, April 9  judge Leslie Loaiza toughened the precautionary measures faced by would-be playboy  Guillermo Ferrufino who was booked in Chiriqui for drunk driving and driving with an expired license.

Ferrufino was once a  rising star in the Martinelli entourage with presidential ambitions. He was persuaded by his mentor to lower his sights but suddenly resigned after a widely reported incident at a party at his,  home.

He is now confined to Panama province and prohibited from consuming alcoholic beverages in public places or activities outside his home, as well as being prohibited from leaving the province of Panama.

The former minister,  a possible flight suspect, is also prohibited from sailing in Panamanian territorial waters and the use of Panamanian airspace.

He was informed that any infringement would lead to tougher sanctions such as a return to preventive detention.

Prosecutors had asked for the change of the “country arrest”precautionary measure enjoyed by Ferrufino, after being booked on March 18 driving drunk and with an expired license.

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