Panamanian authorities have published a list of 484 inmates who are eligible for a sentence reduction. This benefit will be granted in the coming days, provided all legal requirements are met. The publication complies with Law 31 of May 28, 1998, which protects the rights of crime victims. Therefore, the list will be published for three consecutive days in a national newspaper to allow victims to review it and react. The Ministry of Government (Mingob) stated that victims who oppose any of the inmates receiving this benefit can file a written objection with the General Directorate of the Penitentiary System by emailing oposicionesdgsp@mingob.gob.pa. According to Article 184 of the Constitution, the power to grant pardons, sentence reductions, or parole rests with the President of the Republic, as long as the requirements of Article 112 of the Penal Code and Executive Decree 393 of July 2005, which regulates the penitentiary system, are met. The list includes the name of Milena Vallarino de Ferrufino, the wife of former minister Guillermo Ferrufino. The justice system confirmed a six-year prison sentence against her in 2023 for unjustified enrichment and also barred her from holding public office. In January of this year, she sought to replace her prison sentence with house arrest, but the Court of Appeals denied her petition. The sentence remains in force. The Ministry of Government (Mingob) released the list that many were awaiting and others are scrutinizing closely.
