Martinelli poses bribe question in public

PRESIDENT Ricardo Martinelli on Monday September 9 publicly asked the president of bus stop contractor, if it had paid coima (a bribe) to any public official in Panama.

Martinelli said that he asked the question to demonstrate that there is transparency in the development of government projects.

Conalvías president César Jaramillo denied paying any bribes and said the contract for building 21 pay centers was awarded after a public bid.
The question was posed  at the opening of the bus stop in Marañón, which will be named after David Ramirez, one of the victims of the Oct. 23, 2006 bus fire that killed 18 people.
The president said a plaque will be placed in memory of the 17 other victims.
Martinelli said that he asked the question to demonstrate that there is transparency in the development of government projects.
The bus stop, which includes an area to recharge pre-paid Metro cards, will be able to handle 16,000 people an hour in the districts of Panama and San Miguelito.