Business leaders challenge corrupt lawmakers

The extent of  corruption  in Panama’s National Assembly  revealed by the Comptroller General after payroll audits “justifies  the public outcry that, once and for all,  there must be changes  at all levels leading  to eradicating corruption and impunity in the country “

The position of the Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture (Cciap),  was spelled out after Comptroller Federico Humbert exposed the way that lawmakers squandered public funds through different strategies

“Using arguments that aim to maintain organs of the State above the law when everything seems to indicate that people without any function or executed work are remunerated is unjustifiable and perverse, “said the Chamber in a Sunday, June 10 newsletter.

According to Cciap, one of the reasons that led to demanding a thorough audit and the ultimate consequences of these behaviors, “is precisely” safeguarding the honor of those who really carry out, worthy and honest hard work “.

“Impotence overwhelms Panamanian society with this new scandal that adds to the list of alleged acts of corruption from different instances of the State. And the greater sadness verifying that enormous resources, necessary to solve big national problems, end up in the pockets of the corrupt, “said Cciap.

The Chamber demanded that – far from raising obstacles to the management of the Comptroller – he is allowed to carry out the pertinent investigations in all its jurisdiction and “that they extend to all corners of the State, as mandated by the Constitution. “