Ratifation of judges moves to Assembly

The National Assembly Credentials Committee voted on Thursday, March 7 to recommend to the full body of the ratification the of Olmedo Arrocha and  Abel Zamorano as Supreme Court judges.

The decision came after 13 people spoke for and against the designations made by the Executive in November 2018. seven of the nine deputies that make up the Credentials Committee voted in favor.

If the plenary endorses them (36 votes), Arrocha would replace Oydén Ortega in the Civil Chamber, and Zamorano would complete the period that remained for  jailed Alejandro Moncada Luna in the Third Chamber (until December of this year).

That step could take place on Monday, March 11.

Julio César Beitía Cubillas pleaded for the ratification of the two jurists, but especially Zamorano.

Guillermo Puga, secretary general of the Confederation of Workers said that since Dec 2015 the organization he represents called for the formal designation of Zamorano as a replacement for Alejandro Moncada Luna, convicted for unjustified enrichment, and whose period expired in 2020.

Lawyer Norma González objected to the appointment of Arrocha, who she said, is a member the Panameñista Party, of the presidential candidate José Isabel Blandón ands she  linked Arrocha to joint-stock companies in which multiple murderer William Dathan “Wild Bill” Holbert, was once linked.

Freddy Pitty, of the organization Together We decided, said that the Executive ignored the recommendations of the State Commission for Justice. He questioned the independence of Arrocha, since, he said, he has been a lawyer of the Varela family and partner of the firm Arrocha, Blandón, Castro and Young, of which the presidential candidate of the ruling party is a part.

Asked  if he was willing to give up his job as a university professor if he was ratified. Zamorano replied: “You cannot be selfish with knowledge.”