Public spat between lawyer deputies

AN ALTERCATION between two members of the National Assembly,  that came close to blows took place on Wednesday December 16 prior to the installation of the Credentials Committee which is due to evaluate the two Supreme Court Judge nominees on Friday.

According to Committee Chairman Jorge Iván Arrocha, the incident was between PRD Deputy Zulay Rodríguez and Panameñista Deputy Katleen Levy. Both deputies are lawyers who sat on the panel that sentenced former Supreme Court Judge Moncada Luna to  5 years in jail.

Rodriguez is  known for her outspoken criticism of fellow deputies and her social media revelations of what she sees as their transgressions.

Arrocha said that Rodriguez, used profanity toward Levy, which was witnessed by a number of members of the committee.

Arrocha, who is also a Panameñista, called the attack “libelous, insulting, and reckless.”

“Everything is corrupt in the National Assembly according to her[Rodriguez],” said Arrocha, who urged the rest of the members to denounce the attack.Arrocha has been a frequent victim of Rodiguez scorn.

At the same time, Arrocha warned that outbursts will not be tolerated when the committee starts the evaluation process for two Supreme Court nominees Friday.

“I ask [Rodriguez] to keep her composure as a lady and as a deputy,” he said.

Levy said that the Rodriguez “rushed at her.”

“She was insulting,” Levy told the media.