OPINION: Judicial farce must end

CORRUPTION cases related to the Spanish construction company FCC are before different courts, pending the respective legal proceedings. One of the defense lawyers that participates in this process intends that all cases be accumulated in the hands of the same judge: Leslie Loiza, who heads the Fifteenth Criminal Circuit Court and, luckily, has been responsible for deciding the first 40% instance of high profile corruption cases in recent years. This, despite the fact that there are dozens of judges who by lot should know about these causes.

The controversial decisions of Judge Loiza have been disastrous for Panamanian justice and, although sometimes his r superiors have annulled them, this judge remains unaffected by imparting impunity from his office.

It is unacceptable that his superiors have not carried out a judicial audit or a detailed investigation of his behavior and the unworthy pronouncements he has uttered. Citizens must support the request of the Public Ministry that FCC cases be kept separate. Judge Loaiza’s farce must end – LA PRENSA, Dec. 23.