Panama gets failing grade in anti corruption measures
(newsroompanama.com) A report by the Panamanian chapter of Transparency International has identified seven areas in which the government has failed in its commitment to combat corruption.
Panama’s government has failed in seven key areas its commitment to combat corrpution says the country’s chapter of Tranparency International.
The areas are: conflicts of interest, nepotism, lack of compliance with international anti-corruption measures and pressure exerted on media and anti-corruption activists .
A report on the failures was unveiled during a presentation on the global corruption barometer which measures public perception of corruption in countries across the world. Worldwide, six of 10 people believe that corruption has increased over the past three years.
"Currently in Panama, there is not a climate of judicial independence, which is essential so that there is public confidence that their claims will be processed and decided objectively," said the report.
It points to appointments to the Supreme Court made by President Ricardo Martinelli, who skirted the established procedures for appointing the justices.
It also highlights the suspension of the law relating to public service careers. The report says that this decision has diminished the effectiveness of government employees, as it has shifted the loyalty of the workers to the administration which appointed them.
The report also highlights the increase in the awarding of no-bid contracts during 2009 and 2010, as well as the elimination of "pre-auditing" projects being overseen by several government departments.
On nepotism, the report highlights the hiring of relatives of government officials to Foreign Servicng toe positions.
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Original Source: Newsroompanama.com
Date Retrieved: December 10, 2010
