The room courtesy request of the comptroller, Anel Floresto the National Assembly fell this Monday, after a group of deputies, led by Luis Eduardo Camachowill request the suspension of the measure.
The events arise after the clash generated between the independent group Vamos and the party Realizing Goals, who had different ideas about the comptroller’s courtroom courtesy.
The Star of Panama learned that before Realizing Goals proposed courtesy of the courtroom, a group of deputies from Vamos had already presented to the General Secretary of the Assembly, a request for Comptroller Flores to appear and respond to a questionnaire after what happened with the prosecutors of the Public Ministry.
Shortly afterward, Deputy Camacho would surprisingly present a proposal to give a courtesy to Comptroller Flores, which generated questions from independent deputies who pointed out that this would only be a “monologue” by the Comptroller.
While a courtesy of the room allows the person invited by the plenary to present, he is not obliged to answer questions. Meanwhile, the appearance is a formal summons from the Legislature, where specific questions are established and whoever appears is obliged to respond.
Deputy Janine Prado pointed out that what happened in the anti-corruption prosecutor’s office reflects a pattern of “institutional interference” and recalled that the comptroller has hindered initiatives such as the fight against corruption and garbage management in San Miguelito. “Power is not eternal”he warned.
While Representative Patsy Lee Rentería described the action as “unacceptable authoritarianism,” stressing that no authority can intervene in an ongoing criminal investigation.
Representative Yamireliz Chong accused the Executive of endorsing the comptroller’s excesses and asked that the Assembly demand concrete responses.
Likewise, deputy Luis Enrique Duque criticized the rejection of the formal summons to the comptroller, allowing only a monologue. “The Assembly cannot be complicit in interference in judicial processes”he stated.
Deputy Lenín Ulate emphasized that “no authority is above the law” and demanded respect for due process.
However, deputy Alexandra Brenes was more blunt: “In a prosecutor’s office the prosecutor rules. Enough of shows and spectacles of impunity”.
In contrast, Congresswoman Shirley Castañedas, from the Realizing Goals party, defended Flores. He pointed out that he should be listened to before passing judgment and asked for “more respect for an honest, legal man,” insisting that the evidence must be valued and not fall into “banter or spectacle.”
During his appearance, Castañedas showed screenshots of a conversation that was sent to him from former representative Juan Diego Vásquez instructing the members of Let’s go to have the comptroller meet in the Assembly.
In response, Vásquez used her social networks that she undoubtedly seeks to imitate her boss, especially in the bad, referring to former president Ricardo Martinelli, founder of Realizing Goals.
“I want to tell you up front that I am going to file a criminal complaint against you because what you did is a crime. I am not afraid of you, deputy, and I am going up front, not like you.”wrote the former deputy.
Camacho rejected the proposal for a questionnaire to the comptroller, describing it as an attempt at a “show” by the independent bench.
According to Camacho, Flores had expressed his willingness to voluntarily attend the Assembly to explain what happened, without needing to be summoned.
