The Political Commission of the Central American Parliament (Parlacen) did not include in the agenda of the plenary assembly of this body the swearing-in of former President Laurentino Cortizo and former Vice President José Gabriel Carrizo.

La Estrella de Panamá contacted Panamanian and other countries’ deputies, who confirmed that the swearing-in of both former officials was not incorporated, although they preferred not to offer details about the decision.

The plenary assembly of the regional body begins today and concludes tomorrow; it is the last session of the year. Parlacen will recess during the month of December and will reconvene in January of next year.

The swearing-in of former President Cortizo and former Vice President Carrizo has been pending since last year. Although it was included on the plenary agenda in July of this year, it was ultimately not put to a vote.

Now, Cortizo and Carrizo will have to wait until next year if they want Parlacen to swear them in as deputies by right of the regional body.

Some Panamanian members of the Central American Parliament (Parlacen) share the view that the swearing-in ceremony should take place, arguing that it is a right acquired by all presidents of member countries, who can become members of Parlacen once their term of office ends.

The swearing-in of both former officials also faces detractors, including former President Ricardo Martinelli, who asked the deputies of his party, Realizando Metas, to vote against the measure.

In the case of former Vice President Carrizo, the proceedings are being debated amid the seizure of $1.3 million ordered by the Comptroller’s Office, for possible unjustified enrichment.

Members of the Central American Parliament (Parlacen) enjoy the same privileges as national deputies, including immunity. Therefore, before initiating an investigation, authorities must request the lifting of this privilege. Furthermore, in Panama, members of parliament are not investigated by the ordinary courts, but rather through a special process before the Supreme Court of Justice.

Reports published by La Estrella de Panamá in October of last year indicate that both Cortizo and Carrizo had requested to be sworn in as members of the Central American Parliament (Parlacen). At that time, allegations against the former vice president were being discussed, and the then Attorney General, Javier Caraballo, requested certification from Parlacen regarding his swearing-in.

The Central American Parliament (Parlacen) has been criticized by some who consider it an organization designed to protect politicians involved in corruption scandals. Former President Martinelli, for example, was investigated in the “Wiretapping Case” while serving as a Parlacen deputy, but he resigned during the trial, and the case was transferred to the Public Prosecutor’s Office, which ultimately obtained a “not guilty” verdict in his favor.