Monday
Monday 21st April 2025.
April 20, 2025
The audits and oversight carried out by the Comptroller General of the Republic at the National Assembly, through check payments to employees to determine who is actually working and who is considered a “bottle,” were praised by the Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Panama (CCIAP).
The business association believes these actions are steps in the right direction and points out that they should be extended with the same rigor to the Executive Branch and autonomous entities.
“ At a time when every penny counts, we can no longer tolerate a system that pays people who don’t work. The message must be clear and firm: if you don’t work, you don’t get paid . No country can tolerate this type of practice, much less one facing serious economic and social challenges like ours,” the business association stated in the article La Cámara Opina this Sunday, April 20.
In this regard, the Chamber of Commerce called on the Comptroller’s Office, the National Assembly, and the Executive Branch to strengthen these actions, reduce public spending, and clean up the payroll.
They urged everyone to jointly eradicate “bottlenecking” and punish the “cashback” system to the fullest extent of the law, regardless of who it involves. This constitutes a vile theft from the treasury.
“Citizens are tired of seeing public resources wasted, while real needs are going unmet.”
They also believe that it’s not just about auditing: bad practices affecting the public sector must be punished, corrected, and prevented.
“ State operating expenses must be cut intelligently and decisively. Inflated payrolls, unjustified payments, politically motivated appointments … all of this must be left behind.”
On the National Assembly ‘s large and expensive payroll , 146 people hold the position of driver, according to official data from the Comptroller General of the Republic, updated through April 16, 2025.
The salaries of these officials represent a monthly cost of $233,225, equivalent to $2,798,700 per year. A data analysis based on available official information shows that the average monthly salary per driver is $1,597. However, the figures reveal a wide wage disparity: while some receive salaries as low as $750, others reach up to $4,000 per month, more than double the average.
Statement by civil society organizations. The undersigned organizations support the oversight work initiated by the Comptroller General of the Republic in the National Assembly and request that it be robust, thorough, and meticulous.
Recent actions by the Comptroller’s Office that have initiated audits and verification of who is included on the multiple payrolls and contracts have revealed possible family clans, former deputies receiving salaries without working, and acts of embezzlement, confirming allegations that civil society and investigative journalism have sustained for more than fifteen years, since the institution does not publish internal or external audits.
Between 2019 and 2024, the Assembly has reportedly handled more than $1 billion, including the formal budget and transfers of funds without accountability. The full budget, its execution, and advisor contracts have not been published. Transparency Law 6 has been systematically violated. The current administration must assume its institutional responsibility.
Although belated, the Comptroller’s Office’s action is an indispensable step toward restoring legality, transparency, and public trust. We demand that this audit continue until its completion, independently, that those who misappropriated public funds be sanctioned in accordance with the law, and that the results be published with complete transparency.
Panama, April 16, 2025. Signed by 25 civic organizations
The shockwaves of the “trade war” launched by the United States against its main partners, especially China, with the increase in tariffs to unprecedented levels, are already affecting the Colon Free Trade Zone (CFT) , the second largest in the world.
To avoid higher taxes, shipping companies are reducing their operations in Chinese ports, which has reduced cargo capacity from the Asian giant to Latin America, including Panama.
Dovi Eisenman , president of the Association of Users of the CFZ (AU), commented that the cost of shipping goods from Asia to Panama has increased in recent weeks.
In addition to China, where tariffs on some products exceed 200%, the Trump administration has also raised taxes on imports from South Korea, Vietnam, Japan, and other major Asian producers.
“In recent weeks, several shipping companies have implemented progressive increases, which is causing concern among users of the Colon Free Zone, as it directly affects logistics costs and import planning,” Eisenman said.
According to the March FTZ report, of the free trade zone’s 23 main suppliers, nine are located in Asia, led by China, which represents the largest supplier with $2.879 billion in the first three months of the year.
The president of the AU told La Prensa that companies located in the free trade zone are focused on exploring new markets, especially in South America, with an emphasis on the Mercosur countries, a bloc that Panama is seeking to join in the short term.
He added that, as a result of the foreign policy adopted by the United States, there has been an increase in requests from companies interested in establishing themselves in the CFZ, as well as from those seeking to contract 3PL (Third-Party Logistics) services , that is, specialized companies that partially or fully manage the logistics of other companies.
“It’s not that the Colon Free Zone is becoming a tax evasion point for the Trump administration; however, companies are seeking to reach the region directly without going through the United States, which is currently modifying its regulations and creating uncertainty about maintaining operations there. I feel that good opportunities are coming for our country, but we must pay attention, be cautious, and have vision,” he said.
Hundreds of drivers were trapped on the afternoon of April 20, Easter Sunday, in a traffic jam on the Pan-American Highway heading toward the capital.
The roadblock starts in San Carlos and extends to Río Grande (about 70 kilometers). “I left David (Chiriquí) at 8:00 a.m., and at this time, 3:15 p.m., we haven’t even reached San Carlos. What a terrible roadblock, from Aguadulce!” commented journalist Luis Polo Roa on his X account.
“An hour from Penonomé to the entrance to Río Hato… Who’s blocking the road? The ‘smart guys’ driving on the shoulder,” said user Hugo García.
Héctor Tribaldos, another user, commented: “Enjoying the scenery at the traffic jam.” He also attached a photo of the heavy traffic.
More than 80,000 vehicles traveled to different provinces for Holy Week. Authorities reportedly opened the third lane on the Pan-American Highway, from Chame to Panama City, on Sunday morning in an attempt to speed up traffic.
A total of 21,780 people traveled by sea during the first two days of the “Guardianes Phase III 2025” operation, according to the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP). These figures correspond to the number of people traveling through the country up to 3:30 p.m. on Good Friday.
On Holy Thursday, 13,509 people traveled on 1,015 ships, while on Good Friday, 8,271 people traveled on 767 ships. The AMP (National Park of the Amazon) reported that no incidents have been reported so far, nor have any sanctions been applied.
The routes with the greatest movement were Almirante – Isla Colón, with 9,517 passengers transported on 532 ships, and Taboga, with 2,791 passengers on 71 ships.
In addition, the AMP reported that sailings resumed in Playa El Arenal at 10:00 a.m. this Friday, and in Puerto Obaldía at 1:30 p.m.
To ensure compliance with maritime safety regulations, the agency deployed more than 120 inspectors at 32 strategic locations nationwide.
The residents of La Cresta, located in the Bella Vista district of Panama City, are aware of the historical significance of their neighborhood, which was originally known as Bucaneros Hill. Today, it is a quiet and picturesque area, with staircases, fruit trees, and peaceful landscaping. However, residents face a series of problems that have accumulated over the years, largely due to the high demand generated by the community’s attractions.
Among the problems residents highlight are the collapse of the public service infrastructure and the limited access to drinking water —not available 24 hours a day—a situation exacerbated by new construction projects, which continue to appear, despite not conforming to the area’s zoning, in a community with only two streets.
They also report problems with sewage, limited road infrastructure, and community safety issues such as vandalism, which have been on the rise.
Michelle Zarak, president of the La Cresta Local Development Board (LDB) , explained that the lack of water is directly related to population density. “In the case of La Cresta, we have special zoning, and there are preliminary projects being approved that do not meet the required density. This will cause everything to collapse, to the detriment of the area’s residents and the neighbors adjacent to the project, such as the Zima PH,” she stated.
Zarak indicated that this project contemplates the construction of 59 apartments, when what is permitted for that plot of land is 20 housing units per hectare, as established by the zoning of the residential area (R1B-E, R2A-E, R2B-E, among others), in accordance with Resolution 15-92 of the Ministry of Housing and Territorial Planning (MIVIOT), of February 24, 1992, which remains in force with the Territorial Planning Plan.
Bella Vista representative César Kiamco acknowledged the concerns that have plagued the La Cresta community for years. “We know they are neither new nor minor: they are legitimate concerns that have been patiently and frustratingly raised by neighbors who deserve to be heard.”
Kiamco explained that many of these situations exceed the legal powers of a Community Board, which has represented one of the greatest challenges since the beginning of his administration just nine months ago. “As citizens and public servants, we understand the helplessness that comes with watching the years go by without concrete solutions.”
The representative emphasized that he will continue to support the community to address each complaint and promote solutions, even when they are not directly dependent on the Community Board.