Deputies, for their part, have requested the comptroller to concentrate on overseeing the multi-million transfers from the Ministries of Economy and Culture to certain municipalities. After the deputies of the Vamos Coalition rejected the statements of Comptroller Anel Flores regarding his failure to deliver reports related to post-election political financing, the entity issued a communiqué revealing that these deliveries were made outside the established time; therefore, they continue to be in the verification process, and as had been advanced, they requested extensions to comply with accountability. The entity clarified that the audit process it carries out is not related to similar functions exercised by the Electoral Tribunal (TE); therefore, the reports are audited differently. The report from the National Subdirectorate of Accountability also shows that the mayors Irma Hernández, from the San Miguelito district, and Stefany Peñalba, from Arraiján, have also not delivered their reports, as well as several representatives elected by free nomination and the Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD). “The Electoral Tribunal evaluates the reports from the perspective of electoral financing; the Comptroller exercises its supervisory function under the prior control scheme that requires the quarterly presentation of reports on the use of public resources,” they stated. The debate generated between the deputies of the Vamos Coalition and Comptroller Anel Flores regarding the multi-million transfers from the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) to certain municipalities, according to the president of the Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Panama (Cciap), Juan Arias Strunz, is the opportunity both have to demonstrate with facts what they have preached so far, clarifying the doubts of the citizenry that demands transparency and accountability. The Comptroller's Office announced that those who failed to meet the deadline for this task will be subject to the corresponding review processes, which include forensic audits, as established by internal regulations and the current legal framework. It pointed out that if the deputies want to counter the comptroller's arguments, what they must do is submit their reports, and vice versa; the entity can also prove who is still missing the required documentation. However, they clarified that these actions are not intended to attack any political group; on the contrary, their objective is to ensure transparency and proper administration of public funds. “It is specified that the group Otro Camino Movement (Moca), Alexandra Brenes and Luis Duke delivered the corresponding documentation on December 15, 2025; however, said delivery was made outside the regulatory time,” the document outlines.
Panamanian Deputies Demand Comptroller Investigate Multi-Ministry Transfers
Panama's Vamos Coalition deputies clashed with Comptroller Anel Flores, rejecting his claims of failing to deliver post-election financing reports. The oversight agency stated reports were submitted late and are under review. In response to multi-million transfers from Economy and Culture ministries to municipalities, sparking public debate, the Comptroller's Office threatens forensic audits for those who failed to provide documentation, aiming to ensure public fund transparency.
