Martinelli defends us of presidential plane for CD rally

President Ricardo Martinelli has defended the use of the presidential plane to attend a party political rally in Santiago Saturday January 19.

He brushed aside criticisms of using the plane to attend a Cambio Democrático (CD) meeting "The presidential plane is for use of the president," he told journalists,  and  said that earlier in the day he went to Chiriqui for the inauguration of the David airport.
He said that he has used his personal helicopter for more than 1,200 hours and his personal aircraft,  for government business for more than 300 hours. These have been provided for countless functions of the state, he said.
Martinelli's arrival aboard the presidential plane generated controversy. Partido Popular Vice President Teresita de Arias said that it may be a possible crime because Martinelli attended the event as president of the CD and not as the president of the country.