The Attorney General of the Administration of Panama, Gretel Villalaz, stated that she has not yet received any official communication regarding the recent salary increase approved by the magistrates of the Supreme Court of Justice. This increase would imply an additional $4,000 in the monthly income of the magistrates, reaching a figure of over $14,000. The decision was made on January 8 and is expected to take effect in February.
In her statements, the attorney general indicated that her only knowledge of the matter comes from what has been disseminated in the media. Villalaz also mentioned that she has not requested formal information from the Supreme Court of Justice or the involved magistrates, making it clear that her official position would depend on a formal notification from the Judicial Body. "There is a legal framework that regulates these procedures, and we cannot make a judgment without official information," she expressed.
Despite the approval of the salary increase, the Office of the Comptroller General of the Republic has not yet endorsed this measure, which could affect its implementation. Authorities are expected to issue an official statement regarding this decision and extensively explain the grounds and possible implications of this increase.
At this time, the attorney general has refrained from making further statements on the matter, emphasizing that she only knows the information disclosed in the media. The lack of an official communication and the pending endorsement from the Comptroller's Office keep the implementation of the salary increase for the magistrates of the Supreme Court of Justice on hold.
