Source: http://www.chiriqui.life/topic/14803-insider-corruption-is-the-other-virus-that-can-infect-and-destroy-and-the-cortizo-administration-legacy/page/2/?tab=comments
Timestamp: 2020-05-29 10:46:33+00:00

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Insider Corruption Is The Other Virus That Can Infect and Destroy, and the Cortizo Administration Legacy - Page 2 - Panama’s Culture of Corruption and Non-Transparency, and Efforts to Improve - Chiriqui.Life: Your Information Portal
Insider Corruption Is The Other Virus That Can Infect and Destroy, and the Cortizo Administration Legacy
Opacidad choca con el orden jurídico
La transparencia, incluso en tiempos de pandemia, es una obligación del Estado, según lo reconoce la ‘Constitución Política’.
La pandemia del coronavirus es el telón de fondo de una serie de contratos bajo escrutinio. Crédito (Nombre Apellido, Archivo, Cortesía) - LP
En un abierto conflicto jurídico se ha convertido la decisión del gobierno de Laurentino Cortizo de mantener en reserva los detalles de las contrataciones efectuadas durante la actual crisis sanitaria.
Aunque el gobierno fundamenta su actuación en un solo artículo de la Ley de Contrataciones Públicas, este artículo, el 79, bien podría ser inconstitucional y contradecir normas del Derecho Internacional reconocidas por Panamá.
Por ejemplo, la Convención de Naciones Unidas Contra la Corrupción y la Convención Americana de los Derechos Humanos establecen principios jurídicos que obligan a la transparencia de las contrataciones públicas.
De igual tenor, el artículo 43 de la Constitución establece un robusto derecho de acceso a la información pública, desarrollado por la Ley de Transparencia, que en su artículo 10 reafirma el derecho de las personas a conocer los detalles de las contrataciones públicas del Estado panameño.
Por su parte, la Corte Suprema de Justicia, en un fallo del 18 de abril de 2016, en materia análoga, ya decidió que potestades excepcionales similares eran inconstitucionales.
Comisión evaluará
Anoche, el Ministerio de Salud informó a través de un comunicado que conformó una comisión que “evaluará los trámites de adquisición para Covid-19 a través de procedimiento especial”, entre marzo, abril y mayo.
El equipo, conformado por técnicos del ministerio y especialistas, verificará el “cumplimiento de los criterios legales y técnicos de esas gestiones”.
No es legal ocultar la información
La persistencia del gobierno nacional de limitar el conocimiento de la información relacionada con las contrataciones efectuadas durante el actual estado de emergencia, violaría la Constitución, las leyes panameñas y el derecho internacional.
La tesis de la administración pública se fundamenta en el artículo 79 de la Ley 22 de 2006, sobre contrataciones públicas, que establece que durante el estado de emergencia los detalles de las contrataciones efectuadas serán informados al Consejo de Gabinete cinco días después de concluida la emergencia, y posteriormente sería del conocimiento público.
Esta norma entra en conflicto con la interpretación general del derecho administrativo panameño, y bien podría ser inconstitucional.
Por ejemplo, el artículo 35 de la Ley 38 de 2000 establece que el fundamento de las actuaciones administrativas debe seguir este orden: la Constitución, las leyes y las demás normas jurídicas nacionales. Esto quiere decir que el artículo 79 de la Ley 22 de 2006 no es la única fuente de derecho para esos actos administrativos.
El artículo 10 de la Ley 6 de 2002 obliga a que el Estado informe sobre las contrataciones públicas en un sentido amplio.
Esto lo recoge la Constitución Política en su artículo 43 y lo ha reconocido la Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos en el caso de Claude Reyes vs. Chile, en una sentencia de septiembre de 2006, en la que afirmó que la Convención Americana de los Derechos Humanos, en su artículo 13, obliga a los Estados a dar acceso público a la información en su poder.
Sobre la naturaleza jurídica de las prerrogativas del gobierno establecidas en el artículo 79 de la Ley 22 de 2006, en un caso análogo, en una sentencia del 18 de abril de 2016, el pleno de la Corte Suprema de Justicia encontró que las facultades extraordinarias otorgadas al ministro de la Presidencia para contrataciones públicas en materia de seguridad, violaban la Constitución.
En el mismo fallo, la Corte censuró la amplitud de las autoridades contratantes para hacer dichas actuaciones sin que existiera un proceso equitativo en que se maximizaran los intereses del Estado y también las declaró inconstitucionales.
Todo esto deja claro que no es legal privar a la población del conocimiento del contenido, costo y calidad de lo que ha sido adquirido por el gobierno durante la actual crisis sanitaria. Las consecuencias jurídicas pueden ser mayores que los beneficios políticos de la opacidad.
Opacity collides with the legal order
Transparency, even in times of pandemic, is an obligation of the State, as recognized by the ‘Political Constitution’.
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The coronavirus pandemic is the backdrop to a series of contracts under scrutiny. Credit (First Name Last Name, File, Courtesy) - LP
The decision of the Laurentino Cortizo government to keep the details of the contracts carried out during the current health crisis has become an open legal conflict.
Although the government bases its action on a single article of the Public Procurement Law, this article, 79, could well be unconstitutional and contradict norms of International Law recognized by Panama.
For example, the United Nations Convention Against Corruption and the American Convention on Human Rights establish legal principles that oblige the transparency of public contracts.
Similarly, article 43 of the Constitution establishes a robust right of access to public information, developed by the Transparency Law, which in article 10 reaffirms the right of people to know the details of public contracts in the Panamanian State. .
For its part, the Supreme Court of Justice, in a ruling of April 18, 2016, in similar matters, has already decided that similar exceptional powers were unconstitutional.
Commission will evaluate
Last night, the Ministry of Health reported through a statement that it formed a commission that "will evaluate the acquisition procedures for Covid-19 through a special procedure" between March, April and May.
The team, made up of ministry technicians and specialists, will verify "compliance with the legal and technical criteria of these efforts."
It is not legal to hide the information
The persistence of the national government to limit the knowledge of the information related to the contracts carried out during the current state of emergency, would violate the Constitution, Panamanian laws and international law.
The thesis of the public administration is based on article 79 of Law 22 of 2006, on public contracts, which establishes that during the state of emergency the details of the contracts carried out will be reported to the Cabinet Council five days after the end of the emergency. , and later it would be public knowledge.
This rule conflicts with the general interpretation of Panamanian administrative law, and could well be unconstitutional.
For example, article 35 of Law 38 of 2000 establishes that the basis of administrative actions must follow this order: the Constitution, laws and other national legal norms. This means that article 79 of Law 22 of 2006 is not the only source of law for these administrative acts.
Article 10 of Law 6 of 2002 requires the State to report on public procurement in a broad sense.
This is included in the Political Constitution in its article 43 and has been recognized by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in the case of Claude Reyes vs. Chile, in a September 2006 judgment, in which it affirmed that the American Convention on Human Rights, in Article 13, obliges States to give public access to the information in their possession.
Regarding the legal nature of the government's prerogatives established in article 79 of Law 22 of 2006, in a similar case, in a judgment of April 18, 2016, the plenary of the Supreme Court of Justice found that the extraordinary powers granted the Minister of the Presidency for public procurement in security matters, violated the Constitution.
In the same ruling, the Court censured the scope of the contracting authorities to carry out these actions without there being an equitable process in which the interests of the State were maximized, and also declared them unconstitutional.
All this makes it clear that it is not legal to deprive the population of the content, cost and quality of what has been acquired by the government during the current health crisis. The legal consequences may be greater than the political benefits of opacity.
https://www.prensa.com/impresa/panorama/opacidad-choca-con-el-orden-juridico/
Pese a que las cartas-promesa se cancelarán por el escándalo de posible sobrecosto, los ventiladores por los que preguntó este medio ya fueron entregados y funcionan en el Complejo Dr. Arnulfo Arias Madrid y los hospitales Nicolás Solado, Anita Moreno y San Miguel Arcángel, detallaron empresarios consultados por este medio que esperan el pago de los equipos entregados.
Mopderator comment: Below is an unedited automated translation of the above news article.
Authorities rally the response of purchases
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The Minsa said it has no documentation of the equipment, some already installed.
Neither the Ministry of the Presidency nor the Ministry of Health (Minsa) detail what equipment was acquired by the pandemic.
"The Presidency has not made any purchase of medical equipment. Any acquisition of goods by the State must follow the legally established procedure, in which, in addition to overcoming the technical considerations of the health authorities, the contract must be endorsed by the Comptroller ... "
"On the use and specificity of medical equipment, which comply with the entire validation process outlined above, the Ministry will inform in a timely manner, whenever the purchasing processes are initiated and reach their legal perfection," replied the Communication Secretariat. .
Inputs by Covid: neither Minsa nor Presidency give their details
"The requested documentation does not rest with the Ministry of Health." So laconic was the response that the Ministry of Health (Minsa) sent to this medium after receiving a questionnaire about the purchase of supplies due to the pandemic made by the Ministry of the Presidency and which are now in the hands of the Minsa.
La Prensa asked Minsa for information on the human support fans, a copy of the letters of promise to buy these equipment issued by the Presidency, as well as other details of the acquisitions caused by the pandemic.
Despite the fact that the promise letters will be canceled due to the scandal of possible cost overruns, the fans asked for by this medium have already been delivered and are operating at the Dr. Arnulfo Arias Madrid Complex and the Nicolás Solado, Anita Moreno and San Miguel Arcángel hospitals, detailed businessmen consulted by this means that await the payment of the delivered equipment.
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This is the letter sent by ‘La Prensa’ to the Ministry of Health (Minsa), with a copy to the Ministry of the Presidency. On the left, the brief response from the Minsa. LP
The same information was requested from the Ministry of the Presidency, but they did not detail any purchase either. They referred the medium to the Panama Compra portal, where there is no detail of purchases related to health, except for the modular hospital, vouchers, notebooks and cattle.
On the other hand, some 800,000 masks without visors, part of the purchase from Security Equipment, Inc., rejected by the Minsa for not meeting technical criteria, were accepted by the Presidency, because they were delivered by the company.
This is letter 23-2020 Covid19, in which Security Equipment, Inc. offered the State 5.4 million masks and 4 million gloves, for $ 4.4 million. Neither the Presidency nor the company answered how much the value of these inputs was.
“They were received to have the product available in the event of any possible eventuality. To formalize the payment, they must be technically approved by the institutions that require and receive them, and their price must be endorsed by the General Comptroller of the Republic.
The masks, suitable for personal use, that meet the requirements to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, that work to protect life, will be used by volunteers from Panamá Solidario, to guarantee the delivery of food and vouchers to the communities that most they need it ... deliveries will be arranged in the sectors where new outbreaks are detected, as part of the comprehensive health strategy to avoid contagions, "replied the Ministry of Communication of the Presidency.
https://www.prensa.com/impresa/panorama/autoridades-se-pelotean-la-respuesta-de-las-compras/
Citizen outrage at the notice of the Presidency
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Facade of the Presidency of the Republic. Archive
Multiple voices against it generated an announcement by the Strategic Secretariat of Communication of the State to react to a news item from La Prensa that questioned purchases in the midst of the pandemic.
The notice, published in newspapers, says: "They published this: 'The government bought equipment manufactured five years ago', but they do not tell you: that the Comptroller General of the Republic determined that the Executive has not spent a single balboa to buy equipment Covid-19 budget doctor. The Executive has not made any purchase of medical equipment. Panama needs to know the truth. "
The Journalists for Freedom of Expression and Information Forum and the National Council of Journalism rejected the notice in a statement. "Public institutions financed with taxpayers' taxes have the obligation to disclose all information of citizen interest and to be held accountable for the actions of officials." For these unions, it is “unheard of” that instead of fulfilling this duty, they dedicate themselves to attacking the media, “squandering” funds to combat the pandemic.
Read here: The message of the CNP and the Forum to the State Communication Secretariat: ‘Rectify the tone’
In turn, the communicator Guillermo Antonio Adames said that instead of giving light according to transparency, what they do is sow more doubts. "I think what is important here is that it is clear that each one of the political actors is going to have to carry the moral wrong. They are not consistent with transparency and accountability, "he added.
The ex-deputy Teresita Yániz de Arias wrote on Twitter: “The next thing is censorship. There will be those who have forgotten it, but during the dictatorship there was a censor in every newspaper. ”
Sabrina Bacal, director and host of Radar, of TVN, tweeted: “the problem of the announcement is not only the tone of attack on the medium by a public institution, but the substance of the message: If the Executive has not spent a single only balboa as a team against Covid, what have they done with the 5 billion that were borrowed? ”.
Attorney Ebrahim Asvat wrote: “Today the Secretary of State for Communication spent at least $ 2,500 to say that medical equipment was not purchased from his budget allocated to the pandemic. Gentlemen, post your purchases. It is a matter of credibility. ”
The digital media Focus, Clearly, La Puerta del Horno, El Ñeque Noticias, El Gallinazo Praxis and Sal de las Redes, stated: “The way to face citizen criticism is not by confronting those who have the duty to control and report but through transparency, clear accountability, and the responsible use of public funds. ”
https://www.prensa.com/impresa/panorama/indignacion-ciudadana-por-aviso-de-la-presidencia/
https://www.newsroompanama.com/opinion/when-solidaity-means-only-for-me-1
Procurador de la Administración acoge denuncia contra Sabonge por rechazo de donación de hospital
Rafael Sabonge. TR
Odalis Núñez • 22 May 2020 - 01:49 PM
El procurador de la Administración, Rigoberto González acogió la denuncia contra el ministro de Obras Públicas de Panamá, Rafael Sabonge.
Esto, por la decisión del Gobierno Nacional de no haber aceptado una propuesta de "donación" de la empresa China Construcción América (CCA), para convertir temporalmente el Centro de Convenciones de Amador en un hospital de nivel 1 (observación) para pacientes con COVID-19, y en su lugar decidió construir el Hospital Integrado Panamá Solidario.
Esta determinación consta en la Resolución N° DS-101-2020 suscrita por el procurador de la administración el jueves del 21 de mayo, luego que el pasado 18 de mayo, el abogado Ernesto Cedeño presentó la denuncia.
El documento establece también “ iniciar las acciones necesarias y realizar las diligencias preliminares y medidas que se consideren convenientes, a fin de procurar que se esclarezcan los hechos denunciados por el Dr. Ernesto Cedeño, de la Firma Forense Estudio Juridico Cedeño”.
Asimismo, la Procuraduría remitió copia certificada del escrito de la denuncia y copia autenticada de la presente resolución al ministro Sabonge, para que rinda un informe explicativo sobre los hechos descritos en la acusación presentada.
Recorrido del ministro de Obras Públicas de Panamá, Rafael Sabonge junto al presidente de la República, Laurentino Cortizo por el hospital modular
Por su parte, el Despacho Superior del MOP recibió este viernes 22 de mayo, un documento solicitando le remita a la Procuraduría de la Administración un informe explicativo de 7 preguntas, en el término de cinco (5) días, sobre los hechos relacionados en la mencionada denuncia.
Entre estos ¿Exitió una propuesta de parte de la empresa China Construcción América (CCA), detallando cómo se haría la adecuación del Centro de Convenciones de Amador, para transformarlo en un hospital modular -nivel 1 para atender a pacientes de COVID-19?
-Copia del escrito donde el MOP consulta al Ministerio de Salud sobre la citada propuesta de la empresa CCA.
-Copia del informe en el que aparecen las razones por las que se decidió utilizar hoteles para albergar a los pacientes leves.
-Informe del MOP sobre la licitación del Hospital Integrado Panamá Solidario.
La Procuraduría de la Administración deberá agotar la investigación en un término no mayor de dos (2) meses y absolver el mérito de la misma dentro de los treinta (30) días siguientes a la fecha que quede agotada la investigación respectiva, conforme lo preceptúa el artículo 88 de la Ley N°38 de 31 de julio de 2000.
Administration Attorney accepts complaint against Sabonge for refusal of hospital donation
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Odalis Núñez • May 22, 2020 - 01:49 PM
The attorney for the Administration, Rigoberto González accepted the complaint against the Minister of Public Works of Panama, Rafael Sabonge.
This, due to the decision of the National Government not to have accepted a "donation" proposal from the company China Construction America (CCA), to temporarily convert the Amador Convention Center into a level 1 hospital (observation) for patients with COVID -19, and instead decided to build the Panama Solidario Integrated Hospital.
This determination is recorded in Resolution No. DS-101-2020 signed by the administration attorney general on Thursday, May 21, after lawyer Ernesto Cedeño filed the complaint on May 18.
The document also establishes "to initiate the necessary actions and to carry out the preliminary steps and measures deemed appropriate, in order to ensure that the facts denounced by Dr. Ernesto Cedeño, of the Forensic Law Firm Cedeño, are clarified."
In addition, the Office of the Attorney General sent a certified copy of the complaint document and an authenticated copy of this resolution to Minister Sabonge, so that he may render an explanatory report on the events described in the accusation presented.
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Tour of the Minister of Public Works of Panama, Rafael Sabonge with the President of the Republic, Laurentino Cortizo around the modular hospital
For its part, the Superior Office of the MOP received this Friday, May 22, a document requesting that it send the Administration Prosecutor an explanatory report of 7 questions, within five (5) days, on the events related to the mentioned complaint.
Among these, did a proposal from the company China Construction America (CCA), detailing how the adaptation of the Amador Convention Center, to transform it into a modular hospital-level 1 to serve COVID-19 patients?
-Copy of the document where the MOP consults the Ministry of Health on the aforementioned proposal from the CCA company.
-Copy of the report that shows the reasons why it was decided to use hotels to house mild patients.
-MOP report on the tender for the Integrated Hospital Panama Solidario.
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Panama Solidario Integrated Hospital
The Administration Attorney's Office must exhaust the investigation in a term not exceeding two (2) months and absolve the merit of the investigation within thirty (30) days after the date that the respective investigation is exhausted, as required by the Article 88 of Law No. 38 of July 31, 2000.
https://www.telemetro.com/nacionales/2020/05/22/procurador-administracion-acoge-denuncia-sabonge/2883885.html
Datos abiertos para evitar la corrupción
El acceso a la información es una de las principales herramientas para acabar con la opacidad en la gestión de lo público, plantea organismo de la OEA.
23 may 2020 - 10:37 PM
Las autoridades de Panamá han gestionado múltiples compras para hacerle frente a la pandemia por la Covid-19. Gabriel Rodríguez
La Organización de Estados Americanos (OEA), a través de la Secretaría de Cumbres de las Américas, alertó recientemente sobre algunas amenazas que ha generado la pandemia sobre la gobernabilidad democrática de los países. Entre esas amenazas está la corrupción. Por eso advierten de que una forma de contrarrestarla es con el acceso a la información: presupuestos, compras, gastos, toma de decisiones, entre otros datos.
Esto, de acuerdo con el organismo, contribuye a reducir la discrecionalidad en la gestión pública y fortalece la transparencia.
El debate surge en momentos en que en Panamá, las compras de la pandemia han estado bajo cuestionamientos por sobreprecios en algunos insumos, contratos otorgados a empresas con poca experiencia en el ramo, y por la opacidad que se cierne sobre las contrataciones .
“El acceso a la información por medio de la apertura proactiva de datos fortalece la gobernabilidad democrática y constituye una de las principales herramientas para acabar con la opacidad en la gestión de lo público”, aseguró María Celina Conte, de la Secretaría de Cumbres de la OEA, en el foro virtual denominado “Democratización de la información”.
Conte alertó, además, que la opacidad de la información fragmenta la gobernabilidad democrática atentando contra la transparencia del quehacer público.
En el mismo foro, Alejandra Naser, jefa del área de Gestión Pública y Datos Abiertos de la Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (Cepal), recordó el más reciente informe de Transparencia Internacional sobre percepción de la corrupción, que revela que este fenómeno está en aumento, y que los policías y los políticos se perciben como los más corruptos. Habló de los países de América Latina que forman parte de la Alianza para el Gobierno Abierto. Entre ellos figura Panamá.
En efecto, el país tiene un portal de “datos abiertos” desde hace cinco años y, de hecho, a mediados de febrero pasado, la Autoridad Nacional para la Innovación Gubernamental (AIG) informó que el sitio www.datosabiertos.gob.pa había publicado los primeros mil datos abiertos con formatos que permiten a los ciudadanos “ver, copiar y reutilizar la información”.
Allí se encuentran datos de instituciones como el Ministerio de Economía y Finanzas, la Autoridad Nacional de los Servicios Públicos, la Autoridad de la Micro, Pequeña y Mediana Empresa, el Ministerio de Desarrollo Social, el Servicio Nacional de Migración, la Autoridad de los Recursos Acuáticos de Panamá y el Órgano Judicial, entre otros.
Si un ciudadano desea acceder a ese portal hoy día, y quiere buscar información del sector Salud, por ejemplo, encuentra 14 conjuntos de datos. Entre ellos figuran estadísticas del volumen de llamadas recibidas en el Centro de Contactos de la Caja de Seguro Social, correspondientes a enero pasado. También se puede ver la lista de los números telefónicos de las salas de hemodiálisis de esa institución, y la cantidad de jubilados y pensionados por provincia. No hay información correspondiente a la pandemia. Cuando se hace clic sobre la palabra “justicia”, de inmediato el sitio lleva a otra página en la que se lee lo siguiente: “conjuntos de datos no encontrados”.
La representante de la Cepal también mencionó los desafíos que tienen los países para la democratización de la información, entre ellos, la disposición de las instituciones para satisfacer las demandas de información que surgen desde la ciudadanía y la sociedad civil, así como la forma y fundamentos por los que adoptan sus decisiones y administran los fondos públicos.
Precisamente ayer, la presidente de Transparencia Internacional, Delia Ferrara, envió una carta al secretario general de la OEA, Luis Almagro, advirtiendo de que “la corrupción, a raíz de la pandemia, pondrá vidas en riesgo y socavará la recuperación económica regional”, por lo que lo instó a tomar medidas entre los Estados para minimizar los riesgos de corrupción y fortalecer la transparencia.
Open data to avoid corruption
Access to information is one of the main tools to end opacity in public management, states the OAS body.
May 23, 2020 - 10:37 PM
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The authorities of Panama have managed multiple purchases to face the pandemic by Covid-19. Gabriel Rodriguez
The Organization of American States (OAS), through the Summits of the Americas Secretariat, recently warned of some threats that the pandemic has generated on the democratic governance of the countries. Among those threats is corruption. That is why they warn that one way to counter it is with access to information: budgets, purchases, expenses, decision-making, among other data.
This, according to the agency, contributes to reducing discretion in public management and strengthens transparency.
The debate arises at a time when in Panama, the purchases of the pandemic have been under questioning due to overpricing in some inputs, contracts awarded to companies with little experience in the field, and due to the opacity that looms over hiring.
"Access to information through the proactive opening of data strengthens democratic governance and is one of the main tools to end opacity in public management," said María Celina Conte, from the Summits Secretariat of the OAS, in the virtual forum called “Democratization of information”.
Conte also warned that the opacity of information fragments democratic governance, undermining the transparency of public affairs.
In the same forum, Alejandra Naser, head of the Public Management and Open Data area of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), recalled the most recent report by Transparency International on the perception of corruption, which reveals that this phenomenon It is on the rise, and that the police and politicians are perceived as the most corrupt. He spoke of the Latin American countries that are part of the Alliance for Open Government. Among them is Panama.
Indeed, the country has had an "open data" portal for five years and, in fact, in mid-February last year, the National Authority for Government Innovation (AIG) reported that the site www.datosabierto.gob.pa had published the first thousand open data with formats that allow citizens to "see, copy and reuse information".
There are data from institutions such as the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the National Authority of Public Services, the Authority of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, the Ministry of Social Development, the National Service of Migration, the Authority of Resources Panama Aquatics and the Judicial Branch, among others.
If a citizen wants to access that portal today, and wants to search for information from the Health sector, for example, he finds 14 data sets. These include statistics on the volume of calls received in the Contact Center of the Social Security Fund, corresponding to last January. You can also see the list of the telephone numbers of the hemodialysis rooms of that institution, and the number of retirees and pensioners by province. There is no information corresponding to the pandemic. When the word "justice" is clicked, the site immediately leads to another page that reads the following: "data sets not found."
The ECLAC representative also mentioned the challenges that countries have for the democratization of information, among them, the willingness of institutions to meet the demands for information that arise from citizens and civil society, as well as the form and foundations by those who make their decisions and manage public funds.
Just yesterday, the president of Transparency International, Delia Ferrara, sent a letter to the OAS secretary general, Luis Almagro, warning that "corruption, as a result of the pandemic, will put lives at risk and undermine the regional economic recovery", therefore, it urged it to take measures between the states to minimize the risks of corruption and strengthen transparency.
https://www.prensa.com/impresa/panorama/datos-abiertos-para-evitar-la-corrupcion/
Un exdirector de Contrataciones Públicas opina que la Contraloría debe auditar la obra. Mientras, el ministro de Obras Públicas dice que responderá hoy.
The Albrook hospital modules, the thorny theme that generates silence
A former director of Public Procurement believes that the Comptroller should audit the work. Meanwhile, the Minister of Public Works says he will respond today.
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The cost of the modular hospital would be about $ 12 million. Only in the modules and their bases the State will have to pay more than $ 1.2 million. Archive
SmartBrix, the company that built the modular hospital for $ 6.9 million, bought second-hand structures in Costa Rica last year. For this reason, La Prensa asked the Minister of Public Works, Rafael Sabonge, if the hospital modules are new or second-rate. But, as easy as it would be to answer, he did not. He will do it today, they ordered to say, two days after receiving the question.
The contractor bought its modules for a fraction of the price it will charge for what it sold to the State. The ones he acquired in the neighboring country are from 2015, used during the construction of a megaport in the Costa Rican Caribbean, where the structures were exposed to a highly saline environment.
Customs Director Tayra Barsallo confirmed that SmartBrix has not imported modules this year.
La Prensa also tried to get a response from contractor SmartBrix, but the company ignores the medium.
The former director of Public Procurement, Eduardo Corro, believes that the Comptroller's Office should initiate an audit, as it would be worrying to have to pay for overpriced second-hand materials.
On the other hand, the Administration's attorney, Rigoberto González, announced the start of an investigation into the government's rejection of the donation of a first-rate hospital proposed by a Chinese company. The investigation responds to a citizen complaint and will have a maximum period of two months. González asked Sabonge to respond on the matter within five days.
In turn, without indicating an exact date, the Health Minister, Rosario Turner, affirmed that the purchases of medical equipment made in a pandemic time will be disclosed in the coming weeks.
https://www.prensa.com/impresa/panorama/los-modulos-del-hospital-de-albrook-el-espinoso-tema-que-genera-silencio/
https://www.newsroompanama.com/world/panama-president-gets-media-broadsides
23 may 2020 - 11:42 AM
Minister Sabonge on complaint in the modular hospital case: 'I will give a proper response'
May 23, 2020 - 11:42 AM
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The Minister of Public Works, Rafael Sabonge.
The Minister of Public Works (MOP), Rafael Sabonge, assured that he will respond to the complaint filed by the lawyer Ernesto Cedeño, following the rejection of a donation to temporarily convert the Amador convention center into a temporary hospital with 1,500 beds for serve patients of the Covid-19.
“On May 22 I received from Proc. of the Administration request for an explanatory report in relation to the complaint filed by Dr. Ernesto Cedeño, based on a story in the newspaper La Prensa, "Sabonge said on his Twitter account.
"I will give you a proper response, reiterating our commitment to transparency," he said.
The Administration's attorney, Rigoberto González, through resolution DS-101-2020 of May 21, accepted the complaint and incidentally resolved to initiate the necessary actions and preliminary proceedings deemed appropriate, "in order to seek that the facts be clarified ”. The resolution also says that the investigation will be carried out in a period not exceeding two months.
The attorney sent a letter to Minister Sabonge so that in five days he will reply to six aspects on the subject.
One of them is whether there was a proposal from the company China Construction America (CCA), a subsidiary of China State Construction Engineering Corp, about the adaptation of the Amador convention center, to transform it into a temporary hospital - level 1-, in order to serve Covid-19 patients.
https://www.prensa.com/politica/ministro-sabonge-sobre-denuncia-en-caso-del-hospital-modular-dare-debida-respuesta/
OPINION: Nothing wrong What’s to hide?
Modular Hospital,Panama
The challenge presented to Latin American countries by the Covid-19 pandemic fueled some of the worst instincts of governments in the region. The Organization of American States has made a direct call to the Latin American authorities to promote transparency and access to information. Unfortunately, in our America there are too many examples of officials and politicians denounced and investigated for corrupt actions in times of the pandemic. In the list we have ministers, and dozens of mayors and governors in different countries. The list lengthens with the claims of hapless peoples who are still waiting for a food bag or a relief voucher. There are protests that are not appeased because marginalized communities insist on asking for some type of financial assistance. This brings us to Panama: here the health part of the government response has been almost flawless; However, the opacity of the purchase of the modular hospital and other contracts begins to end the patience of public opinion. The logical conclusion is that if nothing wrong has been done, there is no reason to hide the information- LA PRENSA, May 23
https://www.newsroompanama.com/opinion/opinion-nothing-wrong-whats-to-hide
El titular del MOP, Rafael Sabonge, dijo que no respondió preguntas porque ‘prefiero desmentir a que valides tu reportaje con una cita mía sacada de contexto’.
25 may 2020 - 12:00 AM
Ministro del MOP, Rafael Sabonge. Archivo
El pasado sábado, en Twitter, el ministro de Obras Públicas, Rafael Sabonge, sostuvo una breve discusión pública con el excandidato presidencial panameñista José Isabel Blandón. Este último hacía referencia a una investigación periodística publicada ese día en la que este medio abordó el tema de los módulos utilizados para armar el nuevo hospital temporal para enfermos de Covid-19, en Albrook.
Durante dos días, La Prensa intentó que el titular del MOP respondiera si los módulos del hospital se habían construido con materiales nuevos o de segunda. El ministro contestó al quinto intento, pero para pedir canalizar la pregunta a través de Relaciones Públicas. Una vocera prometió contestar el sábado a mediodía, cosa que no ocurrió… hasta que intervino Blandón ese mismo sábado. El político escribió en su cuenta de Twitter: “En vez de hacer inversiones en carreteras o drenajes pluviales, el MOP invierte en un hospital modular con módulos usados que todos pagamos como nuevos, según esta investigación de La Prensa”.
En vez de hacer inversiones en carreteras o drenajes pluviales, el MOP invierte en un hospital modular, con módulos usados que todos pagamos como nuevos, según esta investigación de La Prensa. https://t.co/OEo3wplBnw
— José Isabel Blandón (@BlandonJose) May 23, 2020
Ese comentario fue respondido casi de inmediato por Sabonge. “A diferencia de usted Sr. Blandón, nosotros no le contratamos a Odebrecht aceras a precio de autopista de 6 carriles. Y sí, construimos un hospital de paquete, en 28 días”. Blandón preguntó entonces: “¿‘De paquete’, con modulares usados?”. El ministro ripostó: “Eso es falso, señor, no repita noticias falsas. Yo no las contesto”.
La Prensa se comunicó entonces -vía chat- con el ministro para preguntarle si la respuesta que le dio a Blandón era igualmente la respuesta que este medio estaba esperando desde el pasado jueves: ¿los módulos del hospital eran nuevos o de segunda? Pero Sabonge dirigió al medio nuevamente a la Oficina de Relaciones Públicas del MOP para canalizar la pregunta, cosa que nuevamente se hizo.
Sabonge entonces comentó: “Dicho sea de paso, estoy acumulando las noticias falsas o manipuladas para responderlas en un acto… con todos los documentos, y pruebas”. La Prensa le indicó al funcionario que este medio no publica noticias falsas ni manipuladas. “Nosotros -La Prensa- pedimos su respuesta a una pregunta y a esta hora [6:00 p.m. del sábado pasado] no tenemos un correo con su posición”.
Parte de los chat entre el ministro Sabonge y ‘La Prensa’.
Sabonge, entonces, respondió lo siguiente: “Es que prefiero desmentir a que valides tu reportaje con una cita mía sacada de contexto”. Inmediatamente invitó a este medio a una “entrevista personal”, grabada, en su despacho, la cual fue pactada con la oficina de relaciones públicas, ayer domingo, para el próximo jueves, es decir, una semana después de que se le formulara la pregunta.
Una investigación de La Prensa reveló que SmartBrix Centroamérica –que armó la estructura hospitalaria por $6.9 millones– compró el año pasado 160 estructuras prefabricadas de segunda mano en Costa Rica, usadas como dormitorios, comedor, depósitos y oficinas en un proyecto portuario en ese país. Esos módulos estuvieron expuestos durante cuatro años a un ambiente altamente salino.
Precisamente, SmartBrix construyó la estructura hospitalaria con 160 módulos, la misma cantidad que importó de Costa Rica en abril del año pasado. Por eso, La Prensa preguntó a Sabonge si los módulos eran nuevos o de segunda mano.
La directora de Aduanas, Tayra Barsallo, confirmó que en 2019, SmartBrix importó los 160 módulos y los reportó como usados. El presidente de SmartBrix, Nitesh Mayani, tampoco ha respondido a los cuestionamientos de este medio.
El expresidente de la Sociedad Panameña de Ingenieros y Arquitectos (Spia), Gustavo Bernal, expresó que está dispuesto a conformar un grupo de expertos para acompañar a la Contraloría a hacer una auditoría técnica al hospital modular. Bernal resaltó que para que exista transparencia se requiere de la participación de técnicos independientes.
La arquitecta Sandra Escorcia, por su lado, advirtió que “debe haber una inspección [a la obra] por personas independientes que puedan dar fe de lo que realmente está pasando con la infraestructura, ya que aparentemente la única inspección que se ha hecho es del personal del MOP y eso es inspeccionarse a sí mismo”.
Escorcia indicó que ingenieros y arquitectos cotizaron los materiales utilizados por SmartBrix, incluyendo módulos, electricidad, entre otros. Todo menos aires acondicionados y el sistema contra incendio. Además, las normativas de seguridad humana, quedando preocupados por lo encontrado. “Nos preocupa la calidad de infraestructura que se va a utilizar para atender a pacientes [con Covid-19]. Por ejemplo, hay pacientes que estarán en cuidados intensivos que estarán inconsistentes para poder salvarse y nos preocupa un sistema de rociadores para extinguir incendios”, expresó.
Manifestó que en los próximos días este grupo de profesionales independientes y otros miembros de la sociedad civil pedirán al Cuerpo de Bomberos una copia de la inspección realizada al hospital modular en la que se otorga el permiso de ocupación. “Hay muchas dudas con las compras realizadas”, indicó.
Moderator comment: Below is an unedited automated translation of the above news article (less the Tweets).
Minister Sabonge: Second-class modular structures?
The head of the MOP, Rafael Sabonge, said that he did not answer questions because "I prefer to deny that you validate your report with a quote of mine taken out of context."
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MOP Minister Rafael Sabonge. Archive
Last Saturday, on Twitter, the Minister of Public Works, Rafael Sabonge, held a brief public discussion with former Panamanian presidential candidate José Isabel Blandón. The latter referred to a journalistic investigation published that day in which this medium addressed the issue of the modules used to build the new temporary hospital for patients of Covid-19, in Albrook.
For two days, La Prensa tried to get the head of the MOP to respond if the hospital modules had been built with new or second-hand materials. The minister answered on the fifth attempt, but to ask to channel the question through Public Relations. A spokeswoman promised to answer on Saturday at noon, which did not happen ... until Blandón intervened that same Saturday. The politician wrote on his Twitter account: "Instead of making investments in roads or storm drains, the MOP invests in a modular hospital with used modules that we all pay for as new, according to this investigation by La Prensa."
That comment was answered almost immediately by Sabonge. “Unlike you Mr. Blandón, we do not hire Odebrecht sidewalks at a 6-lane highway price. And yes, we built a package hospital in 28 days. " Blandón then asked: "paquete Package’, with used modules? " The minister replied: "That is false, sir, do not repeat false news. I don't answer them. "
The Press then communicated - via chat - with the minister to ask him if the answer he gave to Blandón was also the answer that this medium had been waiting for since last Thursday: were the hospital modules new or second-rate? But Sabonge directed the outlet again to the MOP Public Relations Office to channel the question, which was done again.
Sabonge then commented: "Incidentally, I am accumulating the fake or manipulated news to respond to it in one act ... with all the documents, and evidence." The Press indicated to the official that this medium does not publish false or manipulated news. "We -The Press- ask for your answer to a question and at this time [6:00 p.m. last Saturday] we don't have an email with your position. "
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Part of the chat between Minister Sabonge and ‘La Prensa’.
Sabonge, then, answered the following: "It is that I prefer to deny that you validate your report with a quote of mine taken out of context." Immediately he invited this medium to a “personal interview”, recorded, in his office, which was agreed with the public relations office, yesterday Sunday, for next Thursday, that is, a week after the question was asked. .
An investigation by La Prensa revealed that SmartBrix Central America - which assembled the hospital structure for $ 6.9 million - bought 160 pre-owned second-hand structures in Costa Rica last year, used as bedrooms, dining rooms, warehouses and offices in a port project in that country. Those modules were exposed for four years to a highly saline environment.
Precisely, SmartBrix built the hospital structure with 160 modules, the same amount that it imported from Costa Rica in April last year. For this reason, La Prensa asked Sabonge if the modules were new or second-hand.
The Director of Customs, Tayra Barsallo, confirmed that in 2019, SmartBrix imported the 160 modules and reported them as used. The president of SmartBrix, Nitesh Mayani, has also not responded to questions from this medium.
They will ask for a report
The former president of the Panamanian Society of Engineers and Architects (Spia), Gustavo Bernal, expressed that he is willing to form a group of experts to accompany the Comptroller to do a technical audit of the modular hospital. Bernal stressed that for there to be transparency, the participation of independent technicians is required.
The architect Sandra Escorcia, for her part, warned that “there must be an inspection [of the work] by independent people who can attest to what is really happening with the infrastructure, since apparently the only inspection that has been made is the MOP staff and that is inspecting yourself. ”
Escorcia indicated that engineers and architects quoted the materials used by SmartBrix, including modules, electricity, among others. Everything except air conditioners and the fire fighting system. In addition, human security regulations, being concerned about what was found. "We are concerned about the quality of infrastructure that will be used to serve patients [with Covid-19]. For example, there are patients who will be in intensive care who will be inconsistent in order to save themselves and we are concerned about a sprinkler system to extinguish fires, "he said.
He said that in the coming days this group of independent professionals and other members of civil society will ask the Fire Department for a copy of the inspection carried out at the modular hospital in which the occupation permit is granted. "There are many doubts with the purchases made," he said.
https://www.prensa.com/impresa/panorama/sabonge-estructuras-modulares-de-segunda/
Busca levantar un informe técnico que determine la calidad de la obra con peritos independientes, y con el apoyo de la Contraloría.
25 may 2020 - 11:15 PM
El ministro de Obras Públicas, Rafael Sabonje, leyó ayer una carta de SmartBrix que decía que los “componentes usados para el hospital pasaron por nuestro proceso de manufactura y control de calidad... para ser integrado en estructuras modulares de primer uso”.
The Public Ministry investigates the Albrook modular hospital
It seeks to prepare a technical report that determines the quality of the work with independent experts, and with the support of the Comptroller.
May 25, 2020 - 11:15 PM
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The work was delivered on April 16, but is unused. Archive
The Anticorruption Prosecutor's Office launched an investigation for a possible crime against the public administration in the process of contracting the modular hospital for $ 6.9 million, reported the Nation's attorney general, Eduardo Ulloa.
The official said that while the pandemic emergency provides a "relaxed state" in hiring, officials have to be "more careful" with funds.
"The main tool with which the State vaccinates itself to avoid acts of corruption is transparency," he said.
The Minister of Public Works, Rafael Sabonje, yesterday read a letter from SmartBrix saying that "the components used for the hospital went through our manufacturing and quality control process ... to be integrated into first-use modular structures."
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Smarbrix letter.
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Except for the SmartBrix letter, Sabonge did not provide any document that shows that the modular material has not been used before.
The Attorney General will request ‘impartial’ experts
The Attorney General of the Nation, Eduardo Ulloa, revealed that he has begun an investigation into the construction of the Panama Solidario modular hospital, for whose physical structure the State will pay about $ 7 million.
The official revealed that the investigation began on Monday, May 18, after publications by La Prensa detailing the contracting procedure and delivery of the work.
Ulloa instructed the Anticorruption Prosecutor's Office to collect information that is emerging on the contract between the Minister of Public Works (MOP), Rafael Sabonge, and the company SmartBrix Central America.
In addition, he confirmed that in the next few days he will request documentation from the MOP and SmartBrix about the contract.
The Public Ministry will request support from the Comptroller and experts from the Technological University, the University of Panama and other "impartial" to prepare a technical report that determines the quality of the work.
Ulloa highlighted that they seek to know how the contract was executed, its execution and the delivery of the work. "We want to know if what was received was what was contracted or if they had knowledge of what was being delivered."
It will also ask the Customs Authority for a report on the condition of the prefabricated structures imported by SmartBrix.
An investigation of this medium revealed that SmartBrix imported 160 second-hand modules from Costa Rica, which coincides with the number of modules used to build the hospital. Customs confirmed that SmartBrix did not import this type of merchandise in 2020.
Answer Sabonge
At a press conference, Sabonge said yesterday that SmartBrix reported that “in the specific case of the Panama Solidario hospital, we certify that all the components used to build the project went through our manufacturing and quality control process, both locally and internationally, to be integrated into first-use modular structures ”. But neither the minister nor the company specified whether the modules were new or not.
The attorney yesterday reported that he will request information from the Administration attorney, Rigoberto González, about the donation of the company China Construction America (CCA) to temporarily convert the new Amador convention center into a level 1 hospital, with more than 1,500 beds. .
"We are going to unite the investigation of the hospital donation," Ulloa explained (see related note).
Sabonge played down CCA's offer: "It was only an informal approach on March 24, at night," through Tourism Minister Ivan Eskildsen, as administrator of the Amador Convention Center.
He assured that the donation offer came “via WhatsApp, from a draft proposal from the CCA company. They [CCA] in their message say that they could evaluate donating the internal divisions, but the government had to buy all the equipment. "
Yesterday, Sabonge did not address various topics. One of them about a possible conflict of interest when he called a former business partner to the tender for the hospital. Sabonge appeared as a director of a company - The Pole At The 8th Hole Corp. - with the president of the VA Project International, Jaime Ventura Cervera. Sabonge resigned from that partnership in April 2019.
Sabonge revealed a few days ago to La Prensa that on March 14, he called TKL Import & Export, VA Project and SmartBrix to offer and two days later, their quotes arrived.
The minister also did not address the issue of the final cost of the hospital or provide evidence to show when the hospital modules were imported or evidence that they were first-use.
https://www.prensa.com/impresa/panorama/el-mp-investiga-el-hospital-modular-de-albrook/

References: artículo 43
 artículo 10
 artículo 79
 artículo 35
 artículo 79
 artículo 10
 artículo 43
 artículo 13
 artículo 79
 Resolución 
 resolución 
 artículo 88