News
Thursday 20th March 2025.
March 19, 2025
The National Lottery of Charity (LNB) has been a political prize for decades and the scene of corruption scandals. Now, the entity’s new director, Saquina Jaramillo, reveals what she has discovered after taking office in September 2024.
During his appearance before the National Assembly’s Economy and Finance Committee, where he presented a report on his administration, Jaramillo revealed that, in the first half of the year, the LNB stopped transferring $24 million in contributions to the State. He did not explain the reasons. At the time, the entity was headed by Gloriela Del Río, appointed during Laurentino Cortizo ‘s administration .
However, he assured that payments normalized in the second half of the year. Between July and December, $53.5 million was paid to the Treasury.
One of the most serious findings reported by the official is the alleged existence of ghost sellers. According to Jaramillo, in the past, bonuses to these sellers were delivered in vouchers, but now they are delivered through checks, in order to ensure greater control.
However, to date, there are 5,000 uncollected checks , which suggests, he noted, that many lottery books could be in the hands of “nominees” rather than actual ticket takers.
Jaramillo also spoke about the “irresponsible” issuance of two series of banknotes without prior market research, which led to an excess of products and a decrease in sales. “Therefore, you will see that returns have increased, and sales are slightly lower than in 2023, due to two series of banknotes that were issued without prior market research, which constantly causes a decrease in sales, because we have more products than banknotes,” he added.
The director also reported that she has filed four complaints with the Public Prosecutor’s Office for irregularities in 294 lottery books, which allegedly caused a loss of assets totaling $856,470. Among the anomalies detected are the lack of social work reports, the absence of security deposits, and the transfer of books without legal support.
Jaramillo’s intervention reopens the debate on the politicization of the LNB. For years, the organization has been run as a partisan fiefdom, benefiting political leaders and associates with key positions and discretionary grants for lottery tickets.
During the previous administration (2019-2024), the LNB leadership was in the hands of Gloriela Del Río , a member of the Nationalist Liberal Republican Movement and a protégé of former San Miguelito representative Francisco Pancho Alemán. The institution has been accused of nepotism, patronage, and political manipulation. In fact, in 2019, it was reported that individuals linked to Molirena representatives controlled lottery books, consolidating the system of political favors in exchange for financial benefits.
At a depth of approximately 50 meters and with approximately 680 meters of excavation, construction of the tunnel for Line 3 of the Panama Metro in the Panama West sector is progressing.
During a tour conducted by La Prensa deep inside the tunnel, a massive and complex infrastructure was revealed. To date, the overall project has reached 15% completion, while the underground section has reached 25%.
Carlos Cedeño, Project Director of Metro de Panamá, SA , explained that the tunnel will be 4.5 kilometers long and 13.5 meters in diameter. Excavation is currently progressing at a rate of over 8 meters per day, and to date, 340 rings have been placed. Each ring consists of nine segments, which are manufactured at the plant located on Centenario Highway.
Deep within the tunnel, the Panama Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) is operating, a machine that has faced geomechanical challenges due to the ground conditions. The TBM ‘s performance varies depending on the composition of the soil and rock being excavated.
Cedeño explained that, at the deepest point of the tunnel, the tunnel boring machine will reach a 65-meter excavation, located next to the Panama Canal’s navigation channel.
Currently, the tunnel has reached the mangroves near the waters of the Panama Canal, and it is estimated that by the end of the year, the tunnel boring machine will have crossed the canal and exited at La Boca.
The machine features a mixed shield that allows it to work in both soft soil and hard rock. It also uses mud to maintain face pressure and ensure tunnel stability during construction.
As for Line 3, the underground section that runs from the Arraiján district to Ciudad del Futuro, in its first phase, is 75% complete.
All stations on Line 3 are under construction. The most advanced station is Ciudad del Futuro, at 85% complete, followed by San Bernardino (69%), Nuevo Arraiján (61%), and Vista Alegre (58%).
Line 3 is estimated to benefit more than 500,000 residents of the province of Panama Oeste, serving an initial demand of 160,000 users.
Cedeño also reported that monorail testing will begin soon.
The National Authority for Transparency and Access to Information (ANTAI) has sanctioned a total of 29 public servants for violating the Code of Ethics for Public Servants over various periods.
Between 2023 and 2024, 16 public servants were sanctioned for offenses including nepotism, conflicts of interest, misuse of state property, and improper performance of office. Those affected worked for the Parita Communal Board, the municipality of Penonomé, the Social Security Fund, the Maritime University of Panama, the Ministry of Education, the Sajalices Communal Board, and the Land Transit and Transportation Authority.
Additionally, from November 2024 to date, the entity imposed sanctions on 13 other state employees for nepotism, conflict of interest, and misuse of working time.
The sanctions imposed varied in their impact. Forty-seven percent of sanctioned officials received a 50% reduction in their monthly salary, while 35% received a 25% deduction from their income. In addition, 12% faced a 10% reduction in their salary, and 6% received a recommendation for dismissal.
Currently, ANTAI maintains 273 ongoing investigations for possible irregularities in various government entities, including the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education, the Land Transit and Transportation Authority, the Sanitation Authority, the Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise Authority (AMPYME), the Social Security Fund, as well as multiple community councils and municipalities.
Another relevant finding is the backlog in the submission of sworn declarations of private interests. Four alternate deputies have yet to submit this document, and while ministers and deputy ministers have fully complied with this obligation, five autonomous entities have yet to do so. Meanwhile, 37% of governors and deputy governors have yet to submit their declarations.
The director of Antai did not mention names.
These data were revealed by Sheyla Castillo de Arias, director of Antai, during her appearance before the Government Commission of the National Assembly, where she presented her 2023-2024 management report. Her presentation is in line with Article 198 of the Constitution , which establishes the obligation to be accountable to the Legislature. In her presentation, Castillo de Arias highlighted the institution’s efforts to strengthen transparency in the public sector and sanction those who violate ethical and administrative standards.
The sworn declaration of private interests is a mechanism contemplated in Panamanian law to prevent conflicts of interest in public office. It is provided for by Law 59 of 1999, which establishes the requirement for a group of public servants, including ministers, deputy ministers, directors of autonomous and semi-autonomous entities, magistrates, deputies, governors, and other high-ranking officials, to disclose information about their economic and property interests.
The National Energy Secretariat issued a resolution recommending long-term renewable energy procurement to ensure better prices in the electricity market.
The resolution, in turn, instructs the Electric Transmission Company, SA (Etesa) to submit the tender documents for this public tender before October 31 of this year, with contracts of up to 180 months.
A maximum price of $97.50 per megawatt hour (MWh) is also established to avoid cost overruns and ensure rate stability.
“The participation of new hydroelectric and wind power plants will be prioritized, which will contribute to diversifying the energy mix and strengthening supply security,” the National Energy Secretariat said in a statement.
Juan Manuel Urriola, National Secretary of Energy, said that this process is part of a long-term planning strategy to avoid reactive decisions and ensure stable rates.
“We can’t rely solely on market inertia. We need an efficient governance framework that guarantees a reliable and competitive supply,” he said.
He also announced that a five-year Procurement Plan will be presented in the coming months, with the aim of structuring the sector’s growth under sustainable and predictable criteria.
“The planning we are resuming under this administration will allow us to soon provide investors with a bidding calendar for the next five years, providing certainty and clear rules for the development of the sector,” he stated.
The last bidding process was held in December 2024 for short-term power and energy contracting, attracting 29 companies that submitted 41 proposals. The new long-term bidding process would be the first under this administration.
The Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for Drug-Related Crimes, in conjunction with the National Police, carried out Operations Storm and Jungle , with the aim of dismantling criminal organizations dedicated to the local sale of illicit substances, international drug trafficking, and money laundering.
The actions were directed by the Attorney General of the Nation, Luis Carlos Gómez, in coordination with the Judicial Investigation Directorate and the National Anti-Narcotics Directorate of the Police.
The proceedings were carried out simultaneously in different parts of the country.
This operation focused on illicit activities in the areas of Bahía Honda, Agua Buena, Tres Quebradas, and Sabana Grande in the Macaracas district of Los Santos province . It also targeted the province of Herrera , in the Los Pozos district, where a group of individuals were involved in drug trafficking.
As a result, 10 people were arrested, of whom 9 were captured during the operations.
This investigation began in September 2023 and has resulted in the seizure of more than 4 tons of drugs in five separate incidents, as well as the arrest of six people in the initial phase.
In this latest operation, raids were carried out in the Costa Arriba and Costa Abajo areas of Colón, the district of Panamá, and Dolega, Chiriquí, resulting in the arrest of 19 people.
During the operations, $14,917 in cash, seven vehicles, two boats, and two outboard motors were seized.
According to authorities, this criminal organization was responsible for receiving, concealing, and safeguarding large drug shipments from Colombia, transporting them along the Atlantic coast in boats or vehicles modified for concealment. The drugs were destined for Costa Rica and the United States.
Most of the detainees are Colombian nationals, and some of them are wanted in the United States through extradition requests, including the group’s leader, who is already in custody.
Fuel prices will decline starting this Friday, March 21, the National Energy Secretariat reported.
95-octane gasoline will be sold at $0.903 per liter ( $3.42 per gallon), and 91-octane gasoline will be sold at $0.853 per liter ( $3.23 per gallon).
Low-sulfur diesel will be sold at $0.793 per liter ( $3.00 per gallon).
The National Energy Secretariat reported that these prices will be in effect until April 4, 2025.