Panama Will Use Parlacen Money To Fund Increase in Pensions for Retirees
(Panama-Guide) - La Prensa - The 3 million dollars Panama normally spends on the Central American Parliament (Parlacen) every year will instead go towards the increase in pensions promised to the retirees, so that Eladio Fernandez and his companions can stop "blocking the streets." So said today Panama's Vice President and Foreign Minister, Juan Carlos Varela, in ensuring that Panama will leave the Parlacen on 25 November and there is "no going back." "I have been clear, the $3 million from the Central American Parliament, as of 25 November 2010, will go to Eladio and the retirees who are asking for a raise," said Varela.
He said President Ricardo Martinelli was clear when he said there would be an increase in pensions for retirees. Therefore, the chancellor added, measures such as using the additional funds generated by Panama's departure form the Parlacen are consistent with the president's speech, which seeks to "optimize" the use of public funds.
Varela, who is participating today together with the President in the celebration of the 189th anniversary of the first proclamation of independence of Panama from Spain, did not elaborate on how the increase in pensions would be implemented, an issue that has yet to be discussed by the Cabinet. Earlier, President Martinelli said that "no one has promised any specific amount," referring to the increase to retirees. He said that "we must be responsible with the funds of the State and the Social Security Fund," so the issue is still under evaluation.
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Original Source: Panama-Guide
Date Retrieved: November 10, 2010.
