Deputies approve shield against lawsuits

Elected members of Panama’s National Assembly have moved once again to shield themselves against complaints or lawsuits. 

ON Thursdy , August 23 they unanimously approved in second debate, a bill that revives the requirement for a summary trial, by the applicant before a complaint against a Member can be initiated
Members added an article to the Code of Criminal Procedure, which states that among the requirements to support a complaint or lawsuit against them should be credited the "suitable evidence of the offense charged."
The approval of the bill, introduced by Democratic Change member  Hernan Delgado, was described by Rigoberto Gonzalez, former secretary of the Public Ministry, as a privilege rather than the revival of immunity, eliminated with the constitutional reforms of 2004.
It is the second time this term that deputies have tried to adopt the "shield".
In October 2010, the project was dropped from third to second debate in the Assembly after criticisms made by various sectors of the country.