2004

(Oct.27th, 2004) Constitution Reforms Passed

On October 27 th , 2004 , the Congress of the Republic of Panama passed 67 reforms to the Constitution, sponsored by President Martin Torrijos. The reviews are as follows:
Review of the Art. 308. Introduction of a Constituent Assembly (60 members) which will operate as a parallel method to modify the Constitution

  • Elimination of the Art. 149. Elimination of immunity for Panamanian lawmakers
  • Establishment of 71 members to the House of Representatives, as a fixed number, no matter the voters population increase or not
  • Suppression of the Second Vice-Presidency of the Republic, and elimination of the position of Second Deputy Lawmaker
  • Modification of the Art. 319. All contracts and agreements about a new canal, must be approved by the Congress and then, submitted to vote at a nationwide referendum
  • Other important reforms are as follows: central government decentralization, Creation of the Tribunal of Accounts, and a new role of the Supreme Court, through which it will be able to investigate and prosecute lawmakers
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(Oct.19th, 2004) Designation of Secretary of the National Council for Transparency against Corruption

As a part of the Anti-corruption Plan, The President of the Republic of Panama, Martín Torrijos, announced the designation of Cristóbal Arboleda (former prosecutor) as Secretary of the National Council for Transparency against Corruption, which is a consultative institution to the Office of the President.

The tasks of the Council are as follows:

  1. Pass the Uniform Code of Ethics, applicable to all public employees, to monitor issues such as conflicts of interests, nepotism and integrity
  2. Prepare an Ethics Training Program to instill the public service vocation to public servants
  3. National Transparency Promotion Program, addressed to every sector of society

Torrijos' Anti-corruption Program also includes:

  1. Reform of the Law of Biddings
  2. Approval of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption
  3. Modernization of the Office of the General Comptroller of Panama
  4. "Panama Digital" Program, to disclose public information concerning the budget, biddings, and purchases of all government institution

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(Sep.1st, 2004) Inauguration of H.E.Martin Torrijos Espino as President of the Republic of Panama

On September 1, 2004, Mr. Martín Torrijos Espino was inaugurated as the new President of the Republic of Panama for a five-year term.



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