Following Allegations of Irregular Handling of Funds, the Mayor of Arraiján Explains the Whereabouts of $900,000.

The mayor of Arraiján, Stefany Dayan Peñalba, explained the destination of the $900,000 obtained from the sale of a municipal land, after the president of the Municipal Council, Yohana Saldaña pictured below, denounced alleged irregularities in the handling of public funds.  Peñalba indicated that the municipality has received two payments for the transaction, one of them for $211,000, which remains in the mayor’s office checking account, she stated. She added that the funds are earmarked, among other purposes, for the purchase and construction of the Juan Demóstenes Arosemena Community Board building. 

The mayor attributed the project’s delay to two complaints filed with the Public Prosecutor’s Office and assured that she will hand over all the corresponding documentation to support the handling of the funds.  She also expressed her willingness to have audits carried out and defended the use of municipal resources to finance works, social programs and services such as school buses and the transport of patients who require oxygen and hemodialysis.  Peñalba reiterated that her administration will continue working in the communities of Arraiján and assured that she has nothing to hide regarding the management of public resources.

The Mayor of Arraiján, Stefany Dayan Peñalba.

Independent supported by the Popular Party, 31 years old. Holds a degree in Law and Political Science, a master’s degree in Procedural Law, and a postgraduate degree in higher education teaching.  Founder and legal representative of the Gran Corazón Foundation since 2016; creator of the Green Alliance for Panama project. Peñalba served as an assistant advisor in the National Assembly (2020-2022), was director of Legal Advice in the National Secretariat of Decentralization in the Ministry of the Presidency (2016-2019) and as an assistant in the law firm Arias, Alemán y Mora (2014-2015).