Martinelli defends Gálvez for giving away hams

LA PRENSA/Archivo

Ricardo Martinelli junto a Sergio Gálvez.

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14/12/2012 - President Ricardo Martinelli defended National Assembly President Sergio Gálvez today, who has been criticized by the opposition for the purchase of 30,000 hams with state funds to distribute to his constituents.

"He has spent money on hams to give to his people," said the President during an official activity in La Chorrera. "This has been done in the past and will be done in the future."

The president added that the legislator "is a worker who wants to give back to his people."

HAMS WANTED FOR RÍO ABAJO

Río Abajo Representative Javier Ortega questioned today the decision by National Assembly President Sergio Gálvez to use state resources to purchase 30,000 hams to give away to residents of his district in El Chorrillo.

"In Río Abajo, my people also need hams," said Ortega, a member of the opposition Partido Revolucuionario Democrático.

Ortega said that the matter should be investigated as it is a blatant case of using state resources for political reasons. Ortega said that there are a number of communities across the country that also need economic assistance.

Ortega said the current government has been blatant about doing projects in areas controlled by its politicians, while it has ignored areas controlled by the opposition.

The hams cost the government $675,000.