Lawmaker calls for resignation of “political “ombudsman

The independent deputy  Juan Diego Vásquez, has called for the resignation of Maribel Coco, Panama’s interim Ombudsman.  

He made the  request in the plenary of the National Assembly on Monday, October 14

“Before thinking about asking for the resignation of qualified national directors and department heads, One person, linked to the government party (PRD ), without citizen confidence, and with little known experience in terms of human rights should submit her resignation. Panama has invested, in these qualified people and asking or their resignations is something that cannot be allowed,

 “If there are some with bad practices, try them and separate, as mandated by the process. However, we cannot allow them to suffer more attacks in the Defensoría, “said the deputy

Vásquez’s call came days after the National Assembly removed  Alfredo Castillero Hoyos, from the Ombudsman’s Office, alleging “notorious negligence”, in the middle of a process for alleged labor and sexual harassment in the institution. Vasquez, along with 64 other deputies, voted in favor of Castillero’s dismissal. 

The nearly 200 officials of the Ombudsman’s Office have been left in job uncertainty, as well as the work done by the  institution after Coco asked the directors and department heads  of the entity to resign  one day after the National Assembly removed Castillero Hoyos

Coco, a PRD party insider was fired from her previous post as a University professor, because of plagiarism.

Her appointment has been widely criticized as the Ombudsman’s role is “defender of the people”  often from the government.