Economy

Official handoff to new Comptroller.

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/nacional/191230/humbert-entrega-llaves-despacho-nuevo-contralor-gerardo-solis Federico Humbert made the official delivery of the keys of the superior office to the new comptroller, Gerardo Solís, marking the end of the transition process. Solís will begin his duties next Thursday, January 2, 2020. The symbolic delivery of the keys occurred in parallel to a tour of …

Legal

So far, No good Nito. This is some Quid pro Quo Bullshit.

So much for his big speech. This lady was as dirty as the day is long. https://www.prensa.com/impresa/panorama/procuraduria-no-admite-querella-contra-porcell-por-asunto-laboral/ The Office of the Public Prosecutor dismissed a complaint against the Attorney General of the Nation, Kenya Porcell, filed by a former Public Ministry (MP) official for alleged abuse of authority and violation of the duties of …

Bocas del Toro
1

To the “Bocas Brigade” both PRO and CON. PNO not driving the boat.

OP ED: Steven- To the loyal contributors that seemingly keep sending stuff to “JB” (even during the holidays), I must say your resolve is admirable. In light of the fact that I, even more than he have stated, are not interested in being the new “Bocasleaks“. Already we have done …

Financials

2020 gives clean slate to Humbert replacement at Comptroller. Fingers Crossed

https://www.prensa.com/impresa/panorama/la-contraloria-clave-para-la-lucha-contra-la-corrupcion/ Since the beginning of the Republic there has been a succession of offices responsible for maintaining fiscal control of public spending. What we know today as the Comptroller General of the Republic was originally a tax visitor and then the state tax agent. In the 1930s it became the current institution. + info …

History
1

Before all my Holiday Cheer. One important post on Panama history.

OP ED: James “JB” Bryson- While perfectly content to continue to enjoy this Florida weather and NOT answer emails of press releases and more Panama skullduggery, I found this Washington Post article to be more than interesting enough to share for a number of reasons. First being it is the …

International Relations

Shady former ruler update: Play some F—–g soccer!

OP ED: James “JB” Bryson- Looks like old Evo is having a blast of a time in Argentina since he raped Bolivia for so long. Maybe he can stay in contact with Varela when he settled in Beijing and they can play on the weekends. https://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?depth=1&hl=en&prev=search&rurl=translate.google.com&sl=es&sp=nmt4&u=http://elsiglo.com.pa/internacional/morales-agradece-fernandez-garanticen-refugio-argentina/24146706&xid=17259,15700023,15700186,15700190,15700256,15700259,15700262,15700265,15700271,15700283&usg=ALkJrhgzuST1nPMYKWzQ0GMrpIGBBKob3g The former Bolivian president …

Crime

Defrauded businessman wants to sock Varela while at lunch.

https://www.prensa.com/judiciales/jueza-de-paz-desestimo-cargos-contra-sultan-por-altercado-con-varela/ The Calidonia Peace Court dismissed the charges against businessman Carlos Sultán, after the altercation he starred with the former President of the Republic Juan Carlos Varela, yesterday Monday at the Makoto restaurant. Judge Sonia Fuentes, issued a resolution filing the complaint after Varela did not appear at the court …

Editorial Contribution

Keeping a keen eye if Nito can walk the walk. We have some stuff sent that will test resolve.

OP ED: Steven- JB re-posted an article last week where the newly elected President went out of his way to state to the world that Panama in open for business. Meaning “clean” business and not “dirty” business. I personally feel that Panama is the World Lightweight Champion in under the …

Editorial Contribution

Who said a lawyer is perfect?STEVE’S LEGAL OP-ED.

OP ED: Regrettably over the past 7 or 8 months, I have had to more or less oversee what James is dealing with on his site. It started with “hey can you take a look at this?”, and has turned into me reading through about 15-20 emails per week. I …

Politics
2

Cortizo attempts to address the one thing Panama is known for…..”pay to play”.

https://www.prensa.com/politica/el-mensaje-de-cortizo-a-sus-funcionarios-quien-intente-jugar-vivo-esta-aniquilado/ Amid questions to several institutions about alleged irregularities in public contracts and little transparency, President Laurentino Nito Cortizo, released two phrases that sounded like a warning. “Whoever tries to play live with the resources of the State is liquidated.” “The resources of the State are sacred sacred … here there is no …

Politics

Historic (albeit futile), House Judiciary Committee moves forward with impeachment.

https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/impeachment-inquiry-12-13-2019/index.html It was another big day in the impeachment inquiry into President Trump as the Judiciary Committee approved articles of impeachment. Here’s where things stand today: What happened: After a lengthy day of debating the two articles of impeachment against Trump, abuse of power and obstruction of congress,the House Judiciary Committee …

Legal

Ulloa to become new face of justice for Cortizo administration.

The Attorney General of the Nation is one of the most powerful men after the President of the Republic. Perhaps that is one of the reasons why in the last ten years, a term that indicates the Constitution as validity of his appointment, five people before the newly appointed have sat …

Crime

Peru essentially indicts former “VP” over Odebrecht bribes.

https://www.prensa.com/mundo/peru-juez-envia-a-prision-a-exnumero-dos-del-presidente-vizcarra-por-caso-odebrecht/ A judge sent César Villanueva , former number two of the current Peruvian government on Wednesday , accused of obstructing the investigations against him for allegedly receiving illegal payments from the Brazilian construction company Odebrecht a decade ago. “I declare the request of the Prosecutor’s Office for 18 months of preventive detention against César Villanueva …

Crime

ODEBRECHT follow up. I just can’t stop covering this.

https://www.prensa.com/politica/las-cuatro-lecciones-del-caso-odebrecht/ It was a Wednesday, December 21, four days of Christmas. It was the year 2016. The news, published on most information websites in the region, shook the business, political and judicial world: the US State Department revealed that executives of the Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht confessed that they had as a practice …

Journalism

“Varelaleaks” covers intrusion into Supreme Court.

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/nacional/191204/191203-injerencia-varela-corte-suprema-justicia The Executive’s interest in appointing in the Supreme Court of Justice persons who can serve the interests of the president in office, or his relatives, has prevailed in several government administrations. Perhaps the subject has not been exposed as fluently as in the case of the conversations of the …

Canal

I’m being restrained. Not even allowed to comment on this.

OP ED: James “JB” Bryson- As I eluded to yesterday, the vim and vigor is taking a back seat for the holidays. But I am so keen to speak on this action, as if is finally making news. I have too many friends to count that work in Customs either …

Politics

How “Varelaleaks” could become the enema that Panama truly needs.

OP ED: James “JB” Bryson- Hope all had a great Thanksgiving with you and yours. Please read this translated article from “La Estrella”. Great commentary on the issues facing Panama. https://www.laestrella.com.pa/nacional/191124/191126-191125-varelaleaks-oportunidad-depurar-poderes Although the origin of the leaks of the mobile of former president Juan Carlos Varela (Varelaleaks.com) is a questionable fact, the …

Politics

What we “should” be looking for in the New Attorney General.

https://www.prensa.com/impresa/panorama/el-perfil-de-un-nuevo-procurador-general-de-la-nacion/ Article 221 of the Political Constitution establishes that in order to be the Attorney General of the Nation and Attorney General of the Administration, the same requirements required to be a magistrate of the Supreme Court of Justice must be met. According to article 204 of the Constitution , there are five requirements …

Crime

Lawyer debate on “Varelaleaks” from La Estrella.

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/nacional/191122/191125-filtracion-renuncia-nuevo-debate A solicitor of the Nation cannot commit any crime or any act that tarnishes its transparency and credibility. Do you consider that there are enough merits to investigate the attorney of the Nation for the messages leaked in the ‘Varelaleaks’? I believe that there is enough merit to open …

Politics

Cortizo wise to not immerse himself into “Varelaleaks”.

https://www.prensa.com/politica/Presidente-Cortizo-Pozos-cautela-Varelaleaks_0_5443705600.html President Laurentino Cortizo e vitó deepen, this Saturday, November 16, on the theme of the “Varelaleaks”. What he did make clear is that he does not like threats when referring to the warnings received by ex-president Juan Carlos Varela , via whatsapp. This Friday, former President Varela (2014-2019) reported …

Crime

Unshackled Martinelli, a big problem for the Status Quo.

Criminal accusations of $10 Million in payments being alleged against Mejia’ and Di’az. https://www.prensa.com/judiciales/Martinelli-millones-magistrados-Mejia-Diaz_0_5447455217.html Former President Ricardo Martinelli (2009-2014) claims a payment of $ 10 million – $ 5 million each – to magistrates Jerónimo Mejía and Harry Díaz , whom he criminally accused on Thursday, November 21, for the …

"JB"
1

I hope all can feel the joy I have in this. Better than picking Super Bowl winner.

OP ED: James “JB” Bryson- I’m just saying being “RIGHT” about a topic is so much better than being “WRONG”. All the shit I took in looking at the Martinelli case with open eyes has been vindicated. Even more so now as I live here and learn the patterns of …

Crime

Tables now turned on Porcell. Better learn Mandarin.

https://impresa.prensa.com/panorama/Procurador-investiga-Porcell-Varelaleaks_0_5445205471.html The Office of the Attorney General, in charge of Rigoberto Gonzale z, is carrying out two investigations against the Attorney General of the Nation, Kenya Porcell, following the leak of private communications by former President Juan Carlos Varela (2014-2019). González informed La Prensa that the first investigation has to …

Legal

Varela leaning heavily on Martinelli for “Varelaleaks”

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/nacional/191113/191114-piden-investigar-origen-contenido-varelaleaks After the announcement of the resignation of the Attorney General of the Nation, Kenya Porcel, after making known the so-called “Varelaleaks”, various reactions from political sectors and civil society have emerged, both nationally and internationally. For the former president of Transparency International José Ugaz, the resignation of the Attorney …

"JB"
2

Just a little tidbit for PNO followers, as “privacy” is ruling the day.

OP ED: James “JB” Bryson: Since all of us are now reading of the Martinelli “punctures”, and now Varelaleaks, I still have some lingering questions about the “who” and the “why” behind certain things myself. Though admittedly not nearly as high profile. As I post each day with my own …

Legal

Every case she touched has to be looked at now.

https://www.prensa.com/judiciales/investigaciones-iniciadas-administracion-Kenia-Porcell_0_5440705960.html During the administration of prosecutor Kenya Porcell, the Public Ministry has conducted 105 high-profile investigations, mostly related to crimes against public administration, money laundering and corruption. Among some of the most emblematic causes advanced in this period is the investigation for peculation and money laundering generated by the payment …

Legal
1

PORCELL OUT!! Here comes the fallout.

https://impresa.prensa.com/panorama/Kenia-Porcell-Cortizo-designara-procurador_0_5440705969.html “I am not attached to the position, I have made the decision to submit the resignation, because I want an investigation to be done accordingly.” Thus, during an interview with Radio Panama , the Attorney General of the Nation, Kenya Porcell, announced yesterday to the country that he will …

"JB"

Varela claims Martinelli behind leaks……….NO SHIT you filthy Judas!! Opus Dei mistress having MFer.

OP ED: Sorry people, but did Varela state from Shanghai, that he feels Martinelli is behind his leaked communications???? Did he hire Scooby Doo and Shaggy to handle the case? My reaction is one of “No Shit”. The guy benefits from serving as VP. Fractures the party. Immediately turns of …

"JB"

Porcell revealed as FRAUD. Acted as a personal shield for Varela with ODEBRECHT.

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/nacional/191106/191107-consejos-recibia-varela-ministerio- The way in which the then President Juan Carlos Varela and the current Attorney General of the Nation, Kenya Porcell , were inexplicable. It extended beyond a parallel hand of justice, as this newspaper revealed in a series of reports detailing the Executive’s interference in criminal cases investigated by the Public Ministry . It was more …

"JB"
1

No reply from Varela- “former President is at a Trade show in Shanghai”.

OP ED: No shit, we showed him flying there MONTHS ago. LMFAO. One of the benefits of granting multiple billion dollar contracts to China while in office. Martinelli went to Miami after ending his term, why is old Carlos settling in a Communist country on the other side of the …