President back flips on no comment decision

PANAMA’S decided several days ago to stop commenting on allegations that top officials were involved in the solicitation of bribes from Italian contractors through Italian businessman and go-between Valter Lavitola.

The announcement was made Friday, October 18 by Minister of the Presidency Roberto Henríquez.

He had declined to comment on an article by a Spanish journalist that stating that, during a June trip to Rome, President Ricado Martinelli was seen near the building where Lavítola was being held under house arrest. Lavitola is now back behind bars for infringement of house arrest rules.

The President however was quick to react through the social network Twitter, saying that he can provide a "minute-to-minute" account of his Rome trip.
"La Prensa lies," Martinelli wrote. He had earlier declined to comment on the allegations, snapping: "We are not going to continue stoking the curiosity of La Prensa."
The author of the article, journalist, Juan Solés, said he has received death threats and offers of bribes to alter his reporting.
Henriquez said that if the journalist had credible information, he should provide it to the Italian authorities.
"We won't continue indulging La Prensa," he said.
Former Attorney General Rogelio Cruz said the investigation into the matter should be re-opened in Panama even though a court has issued a stay of the proceedings.
Current Attorney General Ana Belfon, who was formerly a presidential lawyer for Martinelli, has refused to re-open it, saying there is no evidence to do so says La Prensa