Monday
Monday 14th April 2025.
April 13, 2025
With just 19 votes, the National Assembly could approve the controversial bill that would grant amnesty to former presidents Ricardo Martinelli (2009-2014) and Juan Carlos Varela (2014-2019) , both implicated in corruption. How is this possible?
According to the Internal Regulations of the National Assembly , both organic and ordinary laws are submitted to this state body, although most initiatives submitted are classified as organic. Ordinary laws, on the other hand, address specific and exceptional matters, such as reforms to the internal regulations, declarations of war, or the granting of amnesty, such as the one currently generating controversy in the chamber.
For the approval of this type of initiative—such as the amnesty bill promoted by Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD) representative Jairo “Bolota” Salazar —only a simple majority of the representatives present in the plenary session is required. This means that, if 36 parliamentarians are present—the minimum quorum—only 19 votes in favor would be needed for the proposal to advance, which has generated concern among sectors that believe this is an attempt to shield figures investigated for corruption with a minimal majority.
As you may recall, the main purpose of this proposal appears to be to exonerate those convicted of money laundering in the Blue Apple and New Business cases, including former President Ricardo Martinelli. The initiative also seeks to free those accused of the Odebrecht scandal from any criminal liability . Former President Juan Carlos Varela has also been called to trial in the latter case.
One of the main characteristics of this type of law is that it can be introduced directly as a bill by any representative, without having to go through the preliminary draft phase. This is a substantial difference from organic laws, which must be created through a committee or at the initiative of the Executive Branch.
The Government Commission will resume debate on this bill tomorrow, Monday, after declaring a recess last Thursday. In the halls of the National Assembly, there was talk that they didn’t have the necessary votes to approve the initiative.
The committee is headed by President Luis Eduardo Camacho of the Realizing Goals (RM) party , who signed the proposal. Vice President Ariel Vallarino, also of RM , also supported the proposal. However, not all committee members agreed. Francisco Brea of the Panameñista Party does not appear among the signatories, nor do Crispiano Adames and Raúl Pineda of the PRD, and Manuel Cheng and Roberto Zúñiga of Vamos, who distanced themselves from the initiative.
The Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Panama (Cciap) dedicated its statement, La Cámara Opina, to strongly rejecting the bill that would grant amnesty to former presidents Ricardo Martinelli (2009-2014) and Juan Carlos Varela (2014-2019), both involved in acts of corruption.
The business association indicates that, while the Comptroller General’s Office is completing an audit of Panama Ports Company—and they describe this action as timely in promoting transparency, legality, and a commitment to the truth— a bill is being introduced in the National Assembly that erodes public trust and undermines the justice system.
“A bill is being introduced in the National Assembly that goes in the opposite direction. It is a proposal that seeks to grant amnesty to individuals convicted—or who are convicted—of corruption crimes in emblematic cases such as New Business, Odebrecht, and Blue Apple. This initiative directly contradicts the responsible actions of the Comptroller’s Office and the Attorney General’s Office and represents a blatant attempt to undermine the rule of law.”
The CCIAP warns that the Constitution is clear: the amnesty applies exclusively to political crimes.
” Attempting to extend this concept to common crimes, and even worse, to cases of corruption, is a serious legal and moral violation. It is a sign of impunity that erodes public trust and deeply undermines the sense of justice ,” the union warns.
In this regard, they demand that the Legislative Branch reject this proposal outright, and that the Executive Branch not support it under any circumstances.
“All of this is happening as Panama faces a delicate international situation, particularly in its relationship with the United States, one of our main commercial and strategic partners. In the midst of this situation, the country needs guidance, maturity, and unity .”
The business sector union indicates that this is not the time for hidden agendas or exploiting the confusion surrounding other issues for political gain.
“Panama is a small country, but with great strategic value. Our strength lies not in confrontation or political noise: it lies in dialogue, consensus, respect for multilateralism, and the firm defense of our institutions and our sovereignty.”
They believe it’s time to put Panama before any personal or partisan interests. “What’s at stake goes far beyond that: the credibility of our institutions, the stability of our democracy, and citizens’ confidence in their future are at stake.”
They reiterate that the country needs firm justice, solid institutions, and a united citizenry.
The month of February saw mixed results in revenue collection. After starting the year with a $111 million surplus in current revenue, February closed with a $90.3 million deficit.
During the second month of the year, current revenue totaled $503 million, compared to a projected $594 million. Despite falling short of the target, revenue collection did exceed the figures recorded in the same month last year, when $442.8 million was collected, leaving a surplus of $61 million, or a 13% increase.
A breakdown of the report from the General Directorate of Revenue (DGI) shows that the setback occurred in the area of non-tax revenue, where the figure fell 57% short of the government’s target of $236.7 million, but only $100.4 million was reported.
Non-tax revenue includes revenue received by the State without levying taxes and is obtained from various sources, such as the rental of state-owned properties or investment interests; profit sharing from public or joint ventures, such as contributions from the Panama Canal or dividends from the Electric Transmission Company (ETESA); and fees and charges paid by citizens for services such as the issuance of licenses, public registrations, or vehicle registration, among others.
In addition to falling short of the projected target, non-tax revenue collection also fell short of last year’s figures, closing the month with a negative difference of 36%.
Regarding tax revenues, the DGI reported that the budget was met, with a total of $396.4 million, leaving a balance of $48.2 million, a 13% difference. The amount was $39.3 million higher than the $284.5 million reported in February 2024.
With the exception of education insurance, which is paid in three installments in June, September, and December, the vast majority of tax revenues closed the second month in the green, with increases of up to 60% in corporate or business tax.
Reviewing the cumulative total for the first two months of the year, current revenue collection totaled $1.12 billion, primarily due to the increase recorded last January, closing the period with a surplus of $20 million.
During her appearance before the National Assembly’s Budget Committee this week, the director of the National Charity Lottery (LNB), Saquina Jaramillo , revealed a series of irregularities detected in the allocation of lottery books during previous administrations. The potential financial loss could exceed $768,000.
The ration books, which should represent a subsistence opportunity for people in vulnerable situations, have been transformed into instruments of economic benefit for those close to political figures and entire families, contravening the institution’s social purposes.
Jaramillo explained that currently, each booklet provides a 10% profit on sales, depending on the volume. Typically, these range between $300 and $548. However, in recent audits, the Lottery found books valued at $ 2,000, $4,000, and even $10,000, without the corresponding security deposit or social studies.
“How am I going to have a product without having made the corresponding deposit?” Jaramillo asked, noting that several of these ration books were assigned without meeting the established minimum criteria. Cases like these were particularly common in provinces like Veraguas and Chiriquí, where people were found administering up to ten ration books at a time, a practice that goes against the institution’s spirit of solidarity.
The investigations also revealed that many of these booklets were in the hands of family members, some even with political ties. “Many of these people are families of each other and the families of politicians,” stated the director, who emphasized that the booklet system should be reserved for people without formal employment or with disabilities.
In total, the Lottery has reported 390 allegedly irregular lottery books to the Public Prosecutor’s Office , with a potential financial loss exceeding $768,000, distributed among provinces such as Chiriquí, San Miguelito, Veraguas, and Panama . These complaints, according to Jaramillo, are part of an effort to clean up the system.
The director lamented that many citizens with disabilities cannot access a health insurance card, while others, without proven financial need, display inflated health insurance cards without legal backing.
The Lottery must contribute $108.6 million annually to the National Treasury, which represents nearly 40% of its budget . It also detailed that operating expenses amount to $221 million, including ticket-selling fees, ticket printing, and personal services.
The official’s remarks arose after questions were raised by representatives from the Vamos coalition, such as Jhonatan Vega and Betserai Richards , members of the Assembly’s Budget Committee.
For decades, the Lottery has been a political prize and the scene of corruption scandals. During the previous administration (2019-2024), it was in the hands of politicians from the Nationalist Liberal Republican Movement (Molirena). Its previous director was Gloriela Del Río.
On Palm Sunday in Panama City’s Old Town, tourists, national visitors, and parishioners were able to appreciate this ceremony, which marks the beginning of the commemoration of Holy Week.
After the homily presided over by Monsignor José Domingo Ulloa, the parishioners, palms in hand, were blessed and marched in a procession to commemorate Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, proclaimed King. The ceremony marks the end of Lent and the beginning of Holy Week.
The setting was Independence Square—also known as Cathedral Square—in front of the Cathedral Basilica of Santa María la Antigua, where Monsignor Ulloa addressed the faithful, while groups of tourists arrived in their own “traveling procession” to Panama’s historic center.
The program continues this Sunday with a mass at the Nuestra Señora de la Merced Church at 4:00 pm, and later, at 5:00 pm, the procession of the Brotherhood of the ‘Borriquita’ will take place .