Panama Political Scandal: Comptroller Meddles in Mayor's Affairs

Recent events in Panama raise serious questions about the adherence to law and ethical standards by high-ranking officials. The country has faced new cases of disrespect, overreach, and possibly even influence peddling. The unknown reason for the resignation of the Deputy Comptroller General has generated much suspicion. It appears that when an institution's leadership does not comply with the Comptroller General's whims, its oversight office is closed, as happened at the University of Panama. Such practice is unacceptable when mediating between a private company and a state institution, especially a decentralized mayor's office. If the National Assembly were to flourish with honesty, be free from corruption and harmful laws, Panama would become a developed, reliable, and safe country. The Comptroller General, Anel Flores, and his weekly press conferences are a failure, unlike his predecessors. It is important to remember that honesty and humanism go hand in hand. It is unclear since when the Comptroller General has had the authority to mediate between private companies and state institutions. Where is the independence of the Comptroller's Office in its verification and audit activities? The conduct of President José Raúl Mulino and some ministers, including Lucy Molinar and the Comptroller General, leaves much to be desired, especially given their claims to democratic principles. As the saying goes, 'all that glitters is not gold.' The president insults teachers, while the comptroller treats a woman condescendingly, following Mulino's despotic treatment of citizens, especially journalists. Are the procedures adopted by the Comptroller's Office legal? The events suggest that the country is in a state of defenselessness, a product of shenanigans, cynicism, and possibly overreach, as in anarchic countries. Unfortunately, when serious, honest, and transparent candidates for Comptroller or Deputy Comptroller submit their documents, it seems many deputies do the bidding of the 'magician' who heads the nation. Mr. Comptroller: leave the mayor of San Miguelito alone and stick to your assigned duties.