Former Minister Ferrufino denied bail

PANAMA’S Former Minister of Social Development and renowned partier, Guillermo Ferrufino, has suffered another legal setback and got a judicial dressing down, as the 11th Criminal Court refused a request for bail on charges unjustified enrichment.

Judge Eduardo De La Torrein in a decision dated May 22, said that the conduct attributed to Ferrufino a willingness to increase his assets illicitly. In addition, he said the former official used other people to hide or disguise his assets reports  La Prensa.
“The responsibility of the position he occupied should have ensured the proper functioning of the public administration, since this operation is crucial in the rule of law,” the judge wrote. “The gravity of the facts under investigation directly violates the principles of honesty, integrity, transparency and truthfulness in the exercise of public functions.”
The judge said that the judiciary is obligated to investigate the allegations under the United Nations Convention against corruption, of which Panama is a signatory.
The investigation began when it was revealed the former minister acquired a number of expensive properties while in office.