The Public Prosecutor's Office has taken the two business days deadline to decide whether to file an appeal before the Superior Court of Appeals, which keeps the sanctioned individual detained at the El Renacer Penitentiary Center. This case originated from the conviction judgment No. 75 dated May 11, 2023, in which the First Criminal Cases Liquidation Judge declared the former mayor guilty of the crime of corruption of public servants, imposing a sentence of 48 months in prison.
The Compliance Judge of the First Judicial Circuit of Panama, Esther Hinestroza, through Order No. 14,925 dated October 31, 2024, granted the request made by the private defender, Héctor Bonilla, to replace the prison sentence with day-fines for the former mayor of the Municipality of Panama, Bosco Vallarino, sanctioned for the crime against public administration in the modality of corruption of public servants.
Representing the Public Ministry, was the Superior Anti-Corruption Prosecutor, Johaira González Castillo, while the lawyer Héctor Bonilla Arosemena acted as the technical defender of the convicted individual. For its part, the complainant was represented by lawyer Basilio González, on behalf of the Municipality of Panama.
At the hearing, the Compliance Judge, after hearing the arguments from the Defense, the Prosecutor’s Office, and the complaint, agreed to replace the main sentence of 48 months in prison with day-fines at a rate of 12 thousand Balboas (B/. 12,000), payable to the National Treasury within a period of eight months.
