Panama Minister Faces Conflict of Interest Allegations Over Relative's Role at Ministry

Panamanian Minister of Labor and Development, Jackeline Muñoz, is facing accusations of potential conflicts of interest and questionable hiring practices within her ministry. The controversy surfaced during the ministry's budget presentation before the National Assembly, where legislator José Pérez Barboni raised serious concerns.

One of the most significant points of contention involves Edwin Cedeño, who is reportedly the brother of Muñoz's husband and serves as an advisor within the Ministry of Labor and Development (Mitradel). Pérez Barboni questioned the legality and appropriateness of Cedeño's position. Minister Muñoz defended the hiring, explaining that Cedeño was brought in through an inter-institutional loan from the Electoral Tribunal, meaning his salary is not directly paid by the Ministry of Labor. She acknowledged Cedeño's familial relationship, stating he is 'the brother of her husband,' but asserted his competence and suitability for the role.

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The person is competent, we are interconnecting the entire Ministry of Labor, it is a person whose work I know and is exercising their work, if not, I invite you to go and see...

Further complicating matters, Pérez Barboni inquired whether the National Authority for Transparency and Access to Information (Antai) had been consulted regarding the legality of this arrangement and if any familial impediment existed. Muñoz claimed she had consulted Antai but had not received a response. This prompted Pérez Barboni to request a formal inquiry from the commission's secretariat to Antai to clarify the situation's compliance with transparency laws.

Additional questions were directed at Karlina Julián, the national director of employment at Mitradel. Pérez Barboni alleged that Julián appears to be the resident agent for a private company, RQ Marketing & Events, S.A. This company reportedly secured a state contract worth approximately $11 million in 2026 through direct contracting. Julián confirmed her role as resident agent but denied personal involvement in the contract or knowledge of its direct award to the company. She maintained that her function as a resident agent does not entail participation in company contracts or bids.

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Honorable, from your faculties carry out the corresponding investigations and let us then wait for Antai to respond if you have any doubts.