Panama gets failing grade in anti-corruption war

(newsroompanama.com) Panama has failed to make significant progress in lowering corruption according, to Transparency International.

In a report issued Monday, October 26, which will not come as a surprise to most residents except perhaps Fernando Núñez Fabrega, the country received a score of 3.6 on a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is considered very corrupt and 10 is not corrupt at all.

While Panama rose two tenths of a point, compared to 2009, the country has failed to make significant progress according to the agency.

Of the 178 countries reviewed, 75 percent were below 5, while 25 percent, including Costa Rica, were above that number.

At the end of the administration of Mireya Moscoso in 2004, Panama received a rating of 3.7, while at the end of the administration of Martín Torrijos in 2005, the score was 3.5.

The report was dismissed by Secretary of Transparency Against Corruption Fernando Núñez Fabrega, who claimed the report does not reflect the reality of the country.

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Original Source: Newroompanama.com

Date Retrieved: October 27, 2010