Call for action on pardons and Martinelli era embezzlement

LEGAL groups and civil society organizations met Thursday, August 7 to express concern about the “lack of decision” on the more than 350 pardons handed out by former President Ricardo Martinelli, and for recovery of monies embezzled during the previous administration.

Among those pardoned include former cabinet ministers, Martinelli, former aides of Martinelli, party members, all congressional candidates contested in the last elections, police investigated for murder and other offenses prosecuted for corruption.
Rubén Elías Rodríguez, president of the National Bar Association, said the Supreme Court is stalling processing of complaints against Martinelli, when there are two precedents where the unconstitutionality of pardons given in cases set for common crimes. He emphasized that President Juan Carlos Varela himself could issue a decree repealing these pardons, based on these precedents, reports La Prensa.
At a Thursday ,August 7, conference at the headquarters of the Panamanian Association of Business Executives (APEDA), groups, INCLUDING the Citizens Alliance for Justice and the Foundation for the Development of Freedom (Ciudadana)- also called for follow-up on audits and reports announced by the current government, urging that with “the investigation of corruption, embezzlement and misappropriation that occurred in the past public administration, processes to start to recover through the courts what was embezzled “
They also pledged to conduct an “inventory and monitoring” of cases related to crimes against public administration that have been reported in the past administration “and those arising in the present.”
On transparency and accountability, the meeting called for disclosure and audit of the financial statements of the officials and the public and private funding of political parties is regulated. Reform of the public procurement rules, was neededto reduce the “discretion” in direct purchases.

On the choice of the countr’s comproller, Attorney General, and judges, the meeting asked that the process be transparent and subject to public scrutiny. with “broad citizen participation”