All talk. I believe he’s the straightest President maybe ever in Panama. But he’s not going to fire anyone other than maybe some sacrificial lamb. His own VP has been caught now twice stealing and breaking the rules for personal gains. How many chances is he going to give him?
Cortizo attempts to address the one thing Panama is known for…..”pay to play”.
- By : Panama Now
- Category : Politics
Politics
2
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 room for live play.” His words were given in Palmas Bellas, Colón, where the ruler made a community work tour yesterday, Thursday, December 12.
The President of the Republic issued these statements on the same day that it was announced that the National Charity Lottery, directed by Gloriela Del Río, declared “confidential” data, such as the name, ID and province of the lottery book holders . And when citizens criticize two direct contracts that the Urban and Home Cleaning Authority (AAUD) gave in recent days. One for $ 5 million for the rental of 73 trucks per year, and another for $ 2.5 million to wash your vehicle fleet daily for one semester.
This last $ 2.5 million contract is in the eye of the storm. The company All Multiservicios S, A, was hired for the daily washing of 73 vehicles for six months, equivalent to $ 35,267 for each truck during the semester of the contract.
Similarly, last weekend, the Ministry of the Presidency announced the cancellation of the direct purchase of eight drinking water generators for a cost of $ 2.1 million. This decision was taken one day after La Prensa published a possible cost overrun of $ 1.3 million in the purchase. The contract would have been signed by the Vice President and Minister of the Presidency, José Gabriel Carrizo.
The Presidency, according to the contract, was going to pay $ 250,000 for each generator. La Prensa’s investigation revealed that it cost the company $ 16,531 to import each of the equipment. The secretary of the National Council for Sustainable Development (Conades), Luis Ramírez, announced that the contract was being canceled and the purchase of the generators would be opened to tender. The purchase was to be processed with funds from the Conades.
Cortizo also announced that January 2020 will submit his team to an evaluation.
