Berrocal: It is lamentable that Martinelli is attached to scandal

AP/Arnulfo Franco

Herrera dice que Martinelli debe dar una explicación de este caso.

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03/01/2013 - The general secretary of the National Federation of Public Servants (Fenasep) Alfredo Berrocal today warned that President Ricardo Martinelli's involvement with the Financial Pacific scandal could bring a bad image to the country at the international level.

For Berrocal, it is regrettable that the president is frequently involved in these kind of scandals, saying that it deteriorates the image of Panama at the international level.

RESEARCH

Opposition deputies Leandro Avila and Jorge Alberto Rosas reiterated today that it is necessary to investigate the Financial Pacific scandal.

Avila raised the point that the investigation should have started before media reports surfaced about the case.

"Belfon is already in office, let's see how she does," said Avila, referring to the new attorney general, Ana Belfon, who took office yesterday.

Rosas said that the case should be investigated no matter who is involved, even if it is the president. He said the president should be consistent with his own speeches, when he said that the law should be applied equally.

ASHAMED

Felipe Chapman, former manager of the Panama Stock Market, said today that he feels ashamed and disappointed by the performance of the judicial system in the case regarding brokerage house Financial Pacific (FP).

According to Chapman, the judicial system should be called upon to settle differences in modern society in an impartial way. However, the financial expert questioned that, by mistake, the Supreme Court has suspended a reorganization of FP by granting an injunction filed by its directors.

This reorganization, which he described as a wise decision, had been ordered by the Superintendency of Securities. Beyond having suspended the reorganization, Chapman was critical of the fact that no final decision on the case had been issued.

"There has been no pronouncement by the court, therefore, we are in a legal limbo," he said, calling the lack of action "disappointing and frustrating."

EXPLANATIONS DEMANDED

Opposition leader Balbina Herrera said today that President Ricardo Martinelli has to give an explanation in regard to the alleged use of privileged information to manipulate the shares of Petaquilla Minerals.

Herrera said that this explanation is necessary for transparency issues.

"Yes, we want to know what happened," she said. "The president has to give information on the subject."