Part of shield law ruled unconstitutional

PANAMA’S DEPUTIES  AND  Ricardo Martinelli’s defense team took a hit on   Thursday, Nov, 19 when the Supreme Court   declared parts of the so-called “shield law”  unconstitutional.

The court rejected the articles of the law that sets a two-month deadline for the investigations of National Assembly and Central American Parliament (Parlacen) deputies.

The law had been the subject of three complaints, the last filed by Supreme Court Justice Oydén Ortega, who is investigating former President and Parlacen Deputy Ricardo Martinelli for irregularities in the National Assistance Program (PAN). Ortega filed his complaint two days before the deadline expired, on July 2.

Ortega had recently asked the court to resolve the issue so that his investigation could continue. In the letter, he also warned that two months to investigate members was “insufficient” and constituted “an unequal treatment.”

Ordinary citizens can have investigations extended by up to two years.