Panama anti-corruption agency investigates daughter's hiring amid mother's defense

Panama's National Authority for Transparency and Access to Information (Antai) has launched an official investigation into Sherina Latorraca, the director of Legal Advice for the Directorate General of Public Procurement. This action comes after her mother, Zaira Santamaría de Latorraca, who presides over the Administrative Tribunal of Public Procurement (TAC), publicly defended her daughter's hiring before a budget commission.

Antai formally notified Latorraca of the investigation on Tuesday. The probe aims to ensure due process and allow her to present any relevant arguments or evidence. The inquiry was initiated due to a potential conflict of interest, stemming from Santamaría de Latorraca's response to questions from Deputy Jhonathan Vega regarding her daughter's employment.

During her earlier statement, the TAC president asserted that no conflict of interest existed. She claimed that consultations were made with the Attorney General's Office for Administration and Antai before Sherina Latorraca accepted the position, to confirm the absence of any legal incompatibilities. However, Antai has explicitly denied receiving any such consultations, documentation, or communications from Santamaría de Latorraca concerning this matter.

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This Authority has not received any consultation, documentation, or communication from the President Magistrate of the Administrative Tribunal of Public Procurement related to this matter.