"Ministers do not measure up", after 20 months in office

Allegations of nepotism, lack of transparency, alleged corruption, breach of campaign promises and little execution of works expose a number of shortcomings in the equipment cabinet , whose work is frowned upon by people asking his resignation after 20 months in office.

For critics of the current administration , the decision to keep ministers in office, despite criticism and complaints, due to the inability to make decisions on behalf of President Juan Carlos Varela. Even, when they say they will not make changes soon, would cost in political terms, which will be followed by subtracting popularity management ruler.

Nepotism

"Ministers do not measure up", after 20 months in office

From within the Presidency of the Republic, the minister Alvaro Aleman has been accused of benefiting a nephew Jaime Aleman Arosemena (he resigned) and his sister Pilar Arosemena Aleman with appointments within the government structure and prioritize contracts to his daughter's husband, Ricardo Moynes, sparking criticism from political sectors and groups of organized civil society.

Previously, the magnifying glass fell on the Interior Minister Milton Henriquez, who had named his sister, Florita Ciniglio, as head of the Superior Office. After public pressure, Ciniglio resigned.

The criticism from the public also felt when he learned of the appointment of Milton Henriquez Pagés, son of Interior Minister as ambassador to Israel. Henriquez Pagés is not working in the foreign service, but in the Municipality of Panama.

Another of the ministers who puts the "challenged" Management Office in the fray is the minister of Housing and Land Management (Miviot), Mario Etchelecu, who has been linked to fractional purchases through the Old Program National Help (BREAD).

Currently, the Public Ministry (MP) makes an official investigation to determine whether there was crime in the purchase of materials and equipment for the program ceilings Hopes running the Miviot.

"Ministers do not measure up", after 20 months in office

On the same subject of fractional purchases were made complaints against Health Minister Javier Terrientes, operation also ran through the old PAN.

The Ministry of Education (Meduca) scandal was also reported for the operation in that state of an alleged web of corruption that have helped companies involved in acts of tender documents without presenting irreparable were awarded contracts .

But questions also are linked to the failure of some ministries. This is the case of the minister Rodolfo Aguilera who has faced tough questions about the lack of public policies that diminuyan crime rates and the wave of assaults.

Darts toward the figure of Aguilera flare up after hearing his constant justification blaming an issue of perception, the complaints for lack of security .

Fear to perform works

One of the factors that have influenced unproductive portfolios such as Health, Education, Public Works and Housing is the judicial agenda that would be the pacesetter in the pace of work of the Government.

Even this situation would cause some ministers to refrain from implementing projects and prefer to apply more red tape.

On this issue, the former first lady Marta Linares de Martinelli said "we are having a divided Panama and ministers doesn't dare to work ( ... ) ".

That generated fear that the percentage of budget execution suffered delays 2014-2015 and thus a slowdown in several economic sectors, even though President Varela himself has recommended his ministers accelerate the pace of work.

Complaints

"The country is in grave to grave, and a scandal cover the other, but neither resolves nor initially," said the former Minister of Public Security Jose Raul Mulino, who from prison preventative detention Ancon has denounced, through its letters, inefficiency on the part of the current ministers.

This would also be reflected in the latest survey by Dichter & Neira published in January, in which the acceptance rate of the leading ministers did not exceed 51%.

As ministers of Economy and Finance 51%, Education and Government 49% and Security 37%, were the worst rated in the first month of this year.

For the economist and professor Juan Jované, "what happens is that after only one year of starting the management, the minister who hasn't fallen short is because he will not do."

"If you were to make adjustments, and should be, there are things that are not operating and there are other ministers who have acted outside the law", he said.

The presidential candidate also said that ultimately "the responsibility of the president," because in the legal system would be the person who chooses and can change ministers.

"He doesn't have the excuse if a sector does not work, because you he is holding the responsibility to replace those people", he said.

He added, moreover, that would cronyism and linking the economic sector, and also "certain inability of the president to guide the work (...)".

"Whoever manages something, always two possibilities, who appointed resolved or throw it all up, this is an inappropriate way to manage," said the professor.

According to political analyst Mario Rognoni, "all decisions of a president are political," and if you change a minister, would be to improve the management.

"If you take it out is because you do not agree with their performance, which is not. Any changes that it has failed, at least it is for family reasons," said Rognoni, arguing that if obviously replacements are made, would be because the official It did not work.

Even the former ambassador to the United States Guillermo Cochez said to be the ministers who inaugurate the small works, and not the president.

And it is that for months, is the president who heads the government delegation that travels by communities to listen to the needs of the people, although this is seen as sponsored proselytizing works state.

For the secretary general of the Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD), Carlos Perez Herrera, recent surveys demonstrate that burden the Government who is the president. "And the ministers, well thank you and you (...)".