Electoral Tribunal urges protection of CD candidates

THE  ELECTORAL Tribunal (TE) has  urged prosecutors  to continue investigations into various irregularities by two high ranking  Democratic Change (CD) members

It determined that lifting criminal immunity of ex-deputy candidates for), Manuel Ruiz and Rogelio Baruco, both of Chiriqui;  it was an  unnecessary electoral procedure of and has urged the authorities to continue investigations

On October 30, the First Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office requested the lifting of criminal jurisdiction immunity for  Ruiz, in his capacity as a  candidate  for the village of Alto Boquete, Chiriqui, in the internal elections of the CD.

Manolo Ruiz’s his proclamation as deputy in Chiriqui, was declared null after the TE determined the use of public funds for his  political campaign.

Following that ruling, the TE forwarded copies to the Electoral  , and the Public Prosecutor for “possible crime”.

In the request to lift immunity by the anti-corruption prosecutor, the judges of the TE stressed that this procedure was not necessary, since it was that institution which prompted the request for the investigation.

Therefore, they authorized the authorities to continue the course of the investigation.

Meanwhile, the First Electoral Third Judicial District Attorney’s Office requested the TE lift the immunity Rogelio Baruco for alleged electoral offenses.

Baruco, former deputy in the last term, is running for conventional and current vice president of CD. In the last election campaign, the court annulled his  proclamation as deputy for the use of state resources in politics.

As in the case of Ruiz, the TE said it was unnecessary, and authorized the continuation of the investigation.

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