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Comptroller Flores: Vamos deputies' staff allegedly signed attendance for entire month in one day
🇵🇦 Panama /Crime & Justice

Comptroller Flores: Vamos deputies' staff allegedly signed attendance for entire month in one day

From TVN Panamá · (1h ago) Spanish Critical tone

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Panama's Comptroller General, Anel Flores, reported irregularities in the attendance records of National Assembly officials linked to Vamos coalition deputies.
  • Officials allegedly used "planchas" (attendance sheets) to sign in for the entire month in a single day.
  • The Comptroller's office is investigating potential peculation of use and falsification of records, with payments to the implicated officials currently withheld.

The Comptroller General's office in Panama has uncovered a disturbing pattern of alleged misconduct within the National Assembly, specifically targeting officials associated with the Vamos coalition. Comptroller Anel Flores revealed that these officials are suspected of signing in for an entire month's work in a single day, a practice colloquially known as using "planchas." This revelation, stemming from digital attendance checks ordered last year, points to a potential misuse of public funds and a disregard for labor compliance.

Eso es lo que vulgarmente se llama botellas

— Anel FloresDescribing the alleged practice of signing in for multiple days at once.

What makes this situation particularly noteworthy is that the implicated officials were appointed by young deputies from the Vamos party, a group that had previously campaigned on a platform of transparency and anti-corruption. The irony is not lost on many Panamanians that those who promised reform may be entangled in the very practices they vowed to eradicate. The Comptroller's office is pursuing this investigation with a firm stance, clarifying that the officials are on "leave without pay for investigation" rather than simply being absent.

La nomenclatura correcta es licencia sin sueldo por investigación

— Anel FloresClarifying the status of the investigated officials.

Comptroller Flores emphasized that no public servant is above the law, drawing a parallel to the daily struggles of ordinary Panamanians who must diligently report to work. The withholding of payments to these officials underscores the seriousness of the allegations, which could include peculation of use and falsification of records. This case is a critical test for Panama's commitment to accountability and good governance, especially as the Comptroller's office also pursues other investigations into illicit enrichment and public fund management. The public expects swift and decisive action to ensure that taxpayer money is used responsibly and that those who betray public trust are held accountable.

Si estás nombrado en la Asamblea, no puedes estar en un juzgado o en la Corte Suprema litigando en horario laboral

— Anel FloresExplaining the potential conflict of interest and peculation of use.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by TVN Panamá in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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