The PRD asked Parlacen to include in its agenda the swearing-in of Laurentino Cortizo Cohen and José Gabriel Carrizo Jaén as regional deputies.
The president of the Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD), Benicio Robinsonrequested the Central American Parliament (Parlacen) to include the swearing-in of the former president on the agenda of its next plenary session. Laurentino Cortizo Cohen and the former vice president José Gabriel Carrizo Jaén as deputies of that regional body.
The petition was addressed to the president of Parlacen, Karla Lisbeth Gutiérrez Herrerawith a copy to the members of the board of directors, with the aim of the event being held during the April plenary session, scheduled in Guatemala City.
In a letter, Robinson argues that the request is based on the right of automatic integration established by the Constitutive Treaty of Parlacenas well as in its internal regulations, which grant former presidents the status of members of the organization once their functions in the Executive conclude.
In the letter, Robinson argues that the request is based on the right of automatic integration established by the Constitutive Treaty of Parlacenas well as in its internal regulations, which grant former presidents the status of members of the organization once their functions in the Executive conclude.
The PRD leader explained that, after certifying the cessation of functions, it is up to Parlacen to proceed with the swearing-in in the nearest session, in order to guarantee the “legal security” of the representation of the Panamanian State.
Likewise, he highlighted that the incorporation of Cortizo and Carrizo, who governed Panama in the period 2019-2024, responds to an institutional prerogative supported by current regulations and community law, which is why he insisted on the need to formalize this process without further delay.
It should be remembered that José Gabriel Carrizo Jaén is currently facing a process for alleged unjustified enrichment.
On January 28, a guarantee judge charged him and ordered the precautionary measure of house arrest. During the hearing, his defense—made up of lawyers Pedro Meilán and Roberto Moreno—alleged that the firm did not have jurisdiction to hear the case, maintaining that their client holds the status of member of Parlacen.
However, the judge decided to continue with the process and sent the appeal to the Supreme Court of Justice. Subsequently, the highest court determined that the defense was not right, by not recognizing his status as a Parlacen deputy, which is why it did not admit the claim of unconstitutionality that sought for that body to take on the case.
A second statement
Subsequently, Robinson posted a new statement on his social networks in which he indicated that the request sent to Parlacen responds to compliance with a current international treaty, while rejecting that this action is due to “personal interests” or attempts to evade justice.
Likewise, he emphasized that being part of Parlacen does not eliminate or interfere with legal processes, since Panama is a State of law where judicial responsibilities are maintained in accordance with the law.
