The same prosecutors who called for these individuals to be put on trial are now asking for their acquittal,” stated the jurist. Limitations on Cross-Examination and Absent Witnesses. According to Vallarino, these actions give greater weight to cross-examination, the only mechanism for the defense to rebut the accusation. After the defense attorneys, including those of former President Ricardo Martinelli, exposed the inconsistencies in the Prosecutor's Office's evidence in the Odebrecht case, it is expected that the judge will issue a sentence based on the evidence presented during the hearing. Otherwise, the lawyers have warned that the due process and the principle of contradiction, to which all accused are entitled, would be violated. Challenges to the Prosecutor's Office and Requests for Acquittal. Lawyer Alfredo Vallarino maintains that the Prosecutor's Office's request for acquittal for at least five of those involved in the alleged money laundering crime is proof that the accusing body did not perform a thorough job. According to Vallarino, it is not possible that after 11 years of damaging the reputation of the accused, the conclusion is a lack of evidence of guilt. This inconsistency shows that just as the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office made a mistake with these five people, it could have done so with the rest. The lawyer reiterated that there are evidentiary records that should not be valued for a sentence, as doubts outweigh certainties, which by law favors the accused (In dubio pro reo). It is expected that Judge Marquínez will act in strict accordance with the law. Sinaproc issues warning for waves in the Caribbean. March 01, 2026 Council members demand the timely use of FECE in schools in West Panama. March 01, 2026 González pointed out that the investigation presents a deep 'void,' exacerbated by the absence of Odebrecht's executives, who act as prosecution witnesses but did not appear for the hearing. However, in the ordinary hearing of the Odebrecht case, its use has been limited, as the witnesses and collaborators did not appear to support their statements before the Tribunal. Without contradiction, the process continued to be based on tainted statements that lack technical and scientific rigor. A critical example is that of Damaris Rodríguez Araúz, who had to explain how she prepared a report based on more than 47,000 pages from Switzerland, the United States, and Andorra in less than 24 hours, but did not respond to Judge Baloisa Marquínez's call. Questioned Expert Reports and the 'In Dubio Pro Reo' Principle. Regarding Rodríguez Araúz, a former member of the Judicial Investigation Directorate (DIJ), lawyer Basilio González recalled that the former official signed an expert report and a financial report without being a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). You may be interested. Start of the 2026 school year with setbacks: 13 schools do not open. March 01, 2026 Sudden stop: Third Chamber throws out lawsuit for Isla Escudo de Veraguas. March 01, 2026 Panama invites 12 countries to adhere to the Canal Neutrality Treaty. March 01, 2026 Rough seas!
