The statement regarding alleged leaks of judicial decisions has once again brought the transparency of Panama's justice system into the spotlight, particularly due to the claim that the former board of the newspaper La Prensa, Annette Planells, may have known about rulings before they were formally notified to the involved parties.
On this matter, criminal defense lawyer Guillermina Mc Donald commented that these situations are not new and that, for years, lawyers in the country have been expressing their dissatisfaction with the handling of information by the newspaper La Prensa, which, they allege, published decisions from the Public Ministry and judicial rulings before the lawyers themselves had official knowledge of them.
McDonald recalled that the press knew about decisions before lawyers were notified, which generated repeated complaints within the legal community. She added that this is a problem that lawyers have been complaining about for a long time.
Regarding the statements by Karisma Karamañites, McDonald indicated that she is not guided by perceptions or interpretations, but by facts and evidence.
Lawyer Basilio González emphasized that the allegations must be investigated immediately, as this is not just a journalistic publication but public accusations with specific names. He argued that when information is leaked in advance, it affects both the administration of justice and the practice of journalism itself.
González also questioned the credibility of the person who filed the complaint and the groups she claimed to represent, stressing that there was no election process that granted them legitimacy to speak on behalf of civil society. On the contrary, he stated that Panama has served as an inspiration for many people, and what happened should be seen as an opportunity to rescue justice and correct practices that have tarnished its image.
González also rejected the notion that Panama can be represented by a single person or certain groups, such as Movin and Foco, which once called themselves representatives of civil society but are now facing scrutiny. He mentioned that the U.S. ambassador to Panama, Kevin Marino Cabrera, would have reportedly described the person who received recognition during the Joe Biden administration as questionable, even though the award was given under the narrative of fighting corruption.
