Lawmaker Lilia Batista to chair Education Commission; Vamos deputy's substitute backs her election

Lawmaker Lilia Batista, representing the Realizando Metas (RM) party, has been elected as the new president of the National Assembly's Commission on Education, Culture, and Sports. Her victory came in a vote where she secured five votes, surpassing Jorge Bloise, who sought reelection with three votes, and Jairo Salazar, who received one vote.

A key factor in Batista's election was the support from Paulette Thomas, a substitute deputy for the Vamos party. Thomas enabled her substitute, Edilberto Guerrero, to cast a vote that ultimately tipped the scales in favor of Batista, the ruling party lawmaker. This vote proved decisive after an initial tie in the vice presidency election.

Following her election, Batista highlighted the transformative power of education. "Education is the only tool for equalizing opportunities, for building citizenship, and for sustaining social peace in the long term," she stated. She further added that "study has fundamental value for social and labor growth."

The commission's installation and swearing-in ceremony were attended by the Minister of Education, Lucy Molinar. The commission is tasked with reviewing legislative initiatives related to education, culture, and sports within Panama.