Bud
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Posts posted by Bud
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Martinelli extradition hits fresh roadblock
Posted on August 24, 2016 in Panama
Martinelli off the hook in abuse of power casePost Views: 130THE EXTRADITION request for ex-president Ricardo Martinellie that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is planning to file with US authorities will be delayed for at least 15 more days.
The latest hitch is because Supreme Court Judge Harry Diaz, prosecutor of the case, is on vacation until Sept. 6. He must file a statement in the case before the request, which has been pending for months, can be submitted.
A La Prensa cartoonist’s take on Judge Harry Diaz
Asked about the delay, Diaz said that he had been informed about the need for a statement by the ministry on Aug. 4, but did not file it before leaving for vacation.
Díaz said he was not formally apprised of the situation, but learned about the requirement “unofficially.”
Some of the victims in the case, which includes journalists, union leaders and political opponents of the former president, have demanded that the court speed up the extradition process.
Martinelli fled the country in January 2015, the day he was indicted by the Supreme Court, and is living in Miami.
Mitchell Doens, one of the victims and a leader of the PRD party, said that the process is frustrating.
“We have been waiting for months,” he said.
http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/martinelli-extradition-hits-fresh-roadblock
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My experience has been that purchasing prescriptions in Panama is a lot easier and less paperwork than in the USA. There are "controlled" drugs (narcotics, for example) that do require written prescriptions by a doctor, but that list is much smaller than in the USA.
Most, of my prescription drugs do not require a written prescription. I just walk into a farmacia with the name or empty bottle and they ask how much I want to purchase, and end of story. Frequently the US name is different from the the international or generic name, but they are generally able to look things up in a book (or already know from experience) what the local name is.
Lots of words here, but most everything is over-the-counter.
Do be careful because sometimes the strength (potency) will be different, and so you may need to do some math. For instance, if you are to take 50mg of XYZ, but the locally available version of XYZ may be 25mg, meaning you take two of them. Sometimes the locally available could be 100mg, meaning taking 1/2 of a pill.
Bottom line is that I suspect your experience here in Panama would be similar to what you currently experience in SE Asia, other than the slower service.
Your mileage may vary.
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Panama: Pickups and SUV´s Take Their Turn
In the first half of the year registration of vehicles grew by 7%, driven by registrations of SUV vehicles, which grew by 18% and by pickup trucks, which grew by 35%.
Monday, August 22, 2016
Data from the Comptroller General of the Republic showed that in the first half of the year 33,164 vehicles were registered, of which 13,877 were regular cars, 1,424 were luxury cars, 9,568 SUVs and 5,111 pick ups, In addition about 2700 buses, trucks and other vehicles were registered.
You may want to read: "Age of the Vehicle Fleet in Central America"
The growth in the number of vehicles registered between January and June compared to the same period in 2015 is 7%, slightly lower than the growth rates recorded in previous years.
Standing out the most in these figures is the 35% increase in the registration of pick up vehicles, which amounted to 5,111. Following these were SUV's, with 9,568 registrations, achieving growth of 18% compared to the first half of 2015.
See figures from the Office of the Comptroller General. (In Spanish)http://www.centralamericadata.com/en/article/main/Panama_Pickups_and_SUVs_Take_Their_Turn
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Panama: Tender of Expansion of Metro Line 1 and 2
$660 million will be invested to extend Line 2 up to El Dorado mall and extend by 2.2 kilometers Line 1 to Villa Zaíta, in the town of Las Cumbres.
Monday, August 22, 2016
Among the advances made by Metro de Panama since the intention to extend the lines was announced in January 2016 is the preliminary design of the extension of Line 1 by 2.2 kilometers and "... preliminary analysis of the environmental impact study."
"... In addition to this project, those responsible for it explained that a plot of 4.8 hectares is needed, located in Las Cumbres, owned by the Lions Club of Panama. On that site the plan is to build the northern transport terminus, where cars, buses and taxis will be able to park."
Prensa.com reports that "...with regards to the extension of line 2, which is under construction and will go from San Miguelito to Tocumen, there is a plan to take it up to El Dorado mall, on Ricardo J. Alfaro Avenue. "http://www.centralamericadata.com/en/article/main/Panama_Tender_of_Expansion_of_Metro_Line_1_and_2
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Panama: New Tariffs Against Colombia In Effect
Import tariffs on flowers will rise from 15% to 30%, those on cement clinkers from 0% to 30%, and import duties of clothing will go from between 10% and 15% to 30%.
Tuesday, August 16, 2016
The increase in tariffs comes on top of a 7% payment on account of the Tax on the Transfer of Goods, Furniture and Services (ITBMS) in the case of cement clinkers and clothing. See decree published in the official newspaper La Gaceta.(In Spanish)
Panamaamerica.com.pa reports that "...The Panamanian Colombian Chamber of Commerce is concerned about the consequences of the entry into force of this decree. Eduardo Cristo, union president noted that in the Board meeting an agreement was made to hold a meeting with Colombian businessmen who are affected by the tariff measures that Panama has adopted, in order to seek alternatives and mediate with their respective governments. "
"Colombian exports in general were 35 billion dollars last year and only 2.55% of them came to Panama, therefore various sectors indicate that the tariff measure will not have much effect," he said.http://www.centralamericadata.com/en/article/main/Panama_New_Tariffs_Against_Colombia_In_Effect
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Panama: More Incentives for Solar Energy
Companies that build or operate solar plants will enjoy exemptions from import duties, tariffs, taxes and various levies.
Tuesday, August 16, 2016
From a decree by the National Assembly published in the Official Newspaper of Panama:
Article 1. Clause 1 of Article 20 of Law 37 of 2013 reads as follows :
Article 20. Natural or legal persons who build, operate or maintain plants and / or solar installations will enjoy the following incentives:
1. Exemption from import taxes, tariffs, duties, levies and charges, as well as transfer tax on movable goods and provision of services, that may arise by reason of imports and / or purchases in the domestic market of equipment, machines, materials, spare parts and other goods necessary for the construction, operation and maintenance of the plants and / or solar installations.
This provision also applies to the electricity stations and / or solar installations at the time of the entry into force of this Act, which are under construction, which will have a term of six months from the effective date to request recognition from the Ministry of Economy and Finance for the exemption.
Read full decree (in spanish).http://www.centralamericadata.com/en/article/main/Panama_More_Incentives_for_Solar_Energy
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Their website indicates they send a SIM card that is compatible with all three card sizes -- regular, micro, and nano.
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Not familiar with this particular vendor, but there are several companies that offer world SIM card services. Kinda pricey.
Here is the web link to this particular vendor mentioned above: https://www.zipsim.us/
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Vice President Isabel de Saint Malo de Alvarado, President Juan Carlos Varela and Ngabe Bugle representative Silvia Carrera | Photo: EFE
A dozen Indigenous people detained the president of Panama at a school on Tuesday to protest a deal he signed that could lead to the building of a highly controversial Barro Blanco Dam project in Chiriqui Province. Construction on the hydroelectric dam, which is nearly finished, was frozen last year in response to protests.
President Juan Carlos Varela was detained after he was about to give a public speech praising a recent deal with some Indigenous leaders to resume construction. Opponents of that agreement threw stones at police cars, injuring four officers, reported local media.
The president's security team immediately took Varela and Indigenous representative Silvia Carrera inside a nearby school, where they were forced to stay for two hours while the Indigenous dissidents threatened to not let them out until the agreement was "burned down."
The dissidents are part of Indigenous group Movimiento 10 de Abril, or M-10, a movement representing communities affected by the dam. The M-10 denies Carrera the authority to represent them, saying she is “sold to the government."They blocked the school's main entrance for two hours, until Varela threatened to arrest the dissidents if they did not let him go.
“This is just an isolated incident promoted by a dozen disrespectful Indigenous people that do not officially represent the Ngabe Bugle community,” the president said after he was released. He affirmed that the hydroelectric project will soon be resumed, in accordance with the deal signed with the official Ngabe Bugle authorities as soon as Congress ratifies the text within the next 30 to 60 days.
Under the deal, the government will seek another independent firm to carry out the project and remove the license initially assigned to Panamanean mining firm Generadora del Istmo S.A., or Genisa.
Until the government finds a new contractor, Genisa's shares will be placed in Panama's National Bank. European banks are also funding the project, including Germany's DEG, Deutsche Entwicklungsgesellschaft and Netherlands Development Finance Company.
The government has also agreed to cancel all the licenses for hydroelectric projects planned on the Tabasara River. Future projects will also be subjected to popular consultation and require approval from official Indigenous and campesinos authorities.
But according to M-10 leader Ricardo Miranda, the floodgates on the dam were already opened in some places on Saturday afternoon in order to start filling the reservoir, flooding the lands of dozens of nearby families.
Barro Blanco dam, whose construction is 95 percent finished, will flood nearly 15 acres, or 6 hectares, of Indigenous lands surrounding the site of the dam on the Tabasara River.
The Ngabe Bugle communities affected by the project—representing about 170,000 people—have argued that their rights to free, prior and informed consent under International Labor Organization Convention 169 have been violated and that they never gave permission for the dam.
Critics of the dam fear that the project will displace tens of thousands of people, harm the local agricultural sector, and flood Ngabe Bugle land and traditional sacred sites. The Tabasara River is fundamental to the livelihoods of the local Ngabe Bugle people, who rely on it for water, fishing, and agricultural production along its fertile banks.
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We are not even 2/3 of the way through this year, and already nearly 300 deaths. That is more than one a day. Ouch.
QuoteHighway death toll nearing 300
Posted on August 23, 2016 in Panama
Post Views: 88PANAMA’S highway death toll is mounting at close to 40 a month with the total to date at 293, with a pregnant woman one of the latest to be killed by a passing car on Via Centenarrio in the capital city.
The new total is 48 more than at the same period in 2015
According to statistics from the National Traffic Operations Management 253 men were killed and 39 women along with hundreds of injuries. many of them severe.
In 2015 there were a total of 335 dead male and 82 females and the country is on track to far exceed the grim statistic with the months of November and December usually reaching a peak of accidents.
http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/highway-death-toll-nearing-300
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Anyone have any more information about this incident?
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Hydroelectric fight still boiling
Posted on August 23, 2016 in Panama
Post Views: 131HOURS AFTER President Juan Carlos Varela heralded the achievement of a deal between the government and indigenous groups over the Barro Blanco hydroelectric project, the builders denounced the agreement.
Feneradora del Istmo, S.A. (Genisa), concessionaire of thehydroelectric plant on the river Tabasará announced its objection to the pact signed on Monday August 22.
The deal excludes the company’s operation of the project.
“We express formally our disagreement with the impositions included in the agreement and the damages suffered to date and coming in the future as a result of the dialogue table. We reserve the right to bring actions and use legal mechanisms at our disposal to protect our right to fair and equitable treatment of our investment and compliance with the principles of legality and respect for our rights as dealers, private property and legal security, “said the company in a statement released Tuesday.
COMPLAINTS
“These provisions also violate and undermine the rights that protect our investors, citizens of the United States and Central America under laws and international treaties,” the company says.Genisa claims that the delay in the construction and commissioning of the project, already advanced 95% – has caused them overruns, loss of profits, risks and damage to equipment and infrastructure.
The government replied that the main components related to Genisa were known and discussed by their representatives during the negotiation process, “and in fact in several cases provided by them.”
One of the points of the agreement provides that at least 50% of the jobs generated by the plant will be taken by land workers and indigenous people.
The National Council of Private Enterprise (CONEP) also questioned the agreement reached for “not having the participation of all stakeholders.
“The decision on Barro Blanco was made according to the principles of a group that does not respect any authority, including theirs. This will cost a lot to the country. The agreement is the result of a dialogue that did not include the participation of all stakeholders,”said the Council.
http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/hydroelectric-fight-still-boiling
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OFF THE CUFF: Gucci lady remains mum
Posted on August 23, 2016 in Panama
No words for the mediaPost Views: 82FORMER DEPUTY Minister of Social Development Zulema Sucre made her second appearance before anti-corruption prosecutors Monday August 22.
She was facing additional questioning inacorruption case involving allegations she abused state resources.
The charges resulted from a complaint filed by her former bodyguards who claimed she made them perform menial duties, including walking her dog which she called Gucci and designated a VIP, according to her security detail.
Her initial interview was Thursday last week when she told waiting media that all would be explained and the charges were false.
Before her second interview she was more restrained and by-passed the media when she arrived at the prosecutor’s office.
When she left she had been placed under “country arres” and ordered to report weekly to authorities
She resigned from her position March 1 after a mini-scandal that stretched up to the president’s office.
Her former security guards say she had them walk Gucci from 7am to 10am.
http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/off-cuff-gucci-lady-remains-mum
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In my early days here in Boquete, I twice saw Sra Moscosa walking the streets of Boquete while she was still president. In one instance she had one bodyguard accompanying her, and the other time she was solo. As I passed her on the solo encounter (it was on the sidewalk close to where MBE Boquete is located nowadays) I said 'buenos dias' and nodded to her. She responded likewise. As I was departing the scene, I thought to myself -- boy, that would never happen in the US.
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Top judge ignores Justice Commission
Posted on August 22, 2016 in Panama
Ayu Prado, Court's most traveled judge. led the appointment chargePost Views: 94SUPREME COURT president José Ayú Prado is in the eye of a fresh storm as The State Justice Commission has challenged him for ignoring a letter sent on August 3.
The Commission , coordinated by Administration Prosecutor Rigoberto Gonzalez, questioned him on the criteria used for the appointment of 931 officials
They will form the Criminal Accusatory System in the First Judicial District
“A reasonable time has elapsed without receiving a response to the request,” the commission said in the second letter.
It said that the hiring practices used to fill positions in the new system have not followed established regulations.
The commission is to meet Friday with representatives of the Executive to examine the budget assigned for the implementation of the new regime and the judicial career law which regulates the hiring within the judicial branch.
Ayu Prado has numerous outstanding denunciations against him in the National Assembly and has been widely criticized for his multiple government financed trips abroad while hundreds of unresolved cases sit in the court.
http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/top-judge-ignores-justice-commission
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These periodic events -- with huge crowds -- we have been told are religious in nature. I do not know which church. They seem to occur about every three months. And you are right in that the crowds are huge. Cars, buses, people on foot, etc., and all of them well dressed.
We live in that general area and have never found the events to be a problem, other than needing to be extra careful when driving in that area, which we should do all of the time anyway.
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12 minutes ago, JudyS said:
Bud, Roger was talking about Venezuelans, not Colombians.
Color me red faced. You are absolutely correct. My mind went into idiot mode. I apologize to all. My earlier posting should have made reference to Venezuelans, not Colombians.
You know, even my computer was telling me while I was typing that it was incorrect, but I just charged ahead. Oh well, ....
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Martinelli extradition inches forward
Posted on August 21, 2016 in Panama
Post Views: 161PANAMA’S Foreign Ministry has asked a Supreme Court judge for a summary of the facts of the investigation of ex-president Ricardo Martinelli for alleged wiretapping.The judicial “affidavit” will be included in the extradition request be sent to the United States.
The request was sent to investigating judge Geronimo Mejia in the trial of Martinelli on August 4.
The Foreign Ministry, in its note on Mejia said that the request was based on his experience in the processing of extradition requests to the Government of the United States, it has observed that it is common practice in the US to request the attachment of a document with a narrative of the facts of the case in simple language
It adds that the document should contain a history of research that clearly establishes criminal behavior, avoiding the use of technical words that are difficult to translate and appending the documents the prosecutor in the case deems appropriate or necessary.
The note ,to which media had access, states that the request is to avoid any questions from the US and that the Supreme Court has authorized the Foreign Ministry to carry out the extradition of Martinelli.
Mejia sent to the Martinelli extradition request to Foreign Ministry and since then has been resolved a number of appeals filed by the defense of the former president including a warning of unconstitutionality and opposition to the extradition request for alleged irregularities committed by the prosecutor Judge Harry Diaz in the proceeding.The argument used by the Foreign Ministry to reject defense requests was that in this instance no process is involved as the entity only received an instruction from the Supreme Court, asking it to send a communication to another government, in this case the United States.
Martinelli is facing trial for alleged wiretapping and illegal surveillance of at least 150 people, including political, trade union, labor leaders and journalists.
According to the investigation by Judge Harry Diaz in his role as prosecutor, Martinelli made use of the National Security Council to order surveillance, wiretaps and access emails of opponents.
If convicted he could be sentenced to up to 29 years in jail.
He is also facing trial in numerous corruption cases, and is living in upscale Bricknell Avenue in Miami.
He has labeled the extradition move “bullshit”
http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/martinelli-extradition-inches-forward
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Prologue: The topic of H1N1 flu is coming up again. Rather than tacking more replies on the earlier topic (see http://www.chiriqui.life/topic/2477-ministry-of-health-issues-h1n1-health-alert-on-june-1st/) that discussed the flu epidemic in Panama from earlier this year, I am opting to start a new topic.
QuoteKiller flu virus to increase in September
Posted on August 21, 2016 in Panama
Post Views: 93THE HIN1 FLU which killed 64 people earlier in the year will be back in Panama between September and October, according to the Ministry of Health (MoH).
The Director of Health, Itza Barahona de Mosca, the arrival of new cases will be because of increased rainfall and mosquio activity and because influenza viruses, includingH1N1 circulate all year.
Barahona de Mosca, , asked the public to remain vigilant and those who have not yet been vaccinated should report to a health center of the Ministry) or Social Security Fund (CSS) Deputy Health Minister, Eric Ulloa, on August 11, asked the Budget Committee of the National Assembly for approval of $5.6 million.Of this amount, according to Ulloa $1 million to be used to provide supplies and equipment to health regions to treat people hospitalized with influenza AH1N1.
http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/killer-flu-virus-increase-september
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New company snagged $31 million state contracts
Posted on August 21, 2016 in Panama
Cost millions, rued illegalPost Views: 186A COMPANY created a month after Ricardo Martinelli became president, got over $31 million in contracts from seven state agencies. It’s ultimate owner is shrouded in mystery.
All the contracts to Pele System Inc a company registered in August 2009, one month after Martinelli took office, were fast tracked according to a La Prensa investigation and the key administration players in the agencies at the time, have gone to ground and do not answer calls.
The most visible of the deals was the Pele Police, used for quick identification of citizens, by various entities of public safety like the Transit Authority (ATTT) and the National Police. They were later ruled illegal.
The National Police (PN) had at least a dozen charges for Pele System Inc., amounting to $2,453368.76 for ”Pele Police” services and more followed. All the contracts were approved in days by the Comptroller.
The former directors of the PN and ATTT could not be reached for comment.
The biggest payments made in favor of Pele System Inc ., were for the contract with the Maritime Authority (AMP) for the Pele Marine, system verification and inspection of vessels with the Panamanian flag.
Between 2012 and 2014 an estimated $25,265 938 went to Pele System Inc. from the AMP via the Comptroller.
Roberto Linares, who was administrator of the AMP at the time, said he did not know anything about Pele System Inc., despite the millions paid.
Former Minister of the Presidency Demetrio Papadimitriu, who served as chairman of the board of AMP when it signed the contract did not return calls and messages made to his cell phone.
FAST PAYMENTS
Most of the payments for Pele System Inc. from the AMP through the comptroller took between three and five days at a time when there were constant complaints from suppliers because of delays in the approval of checks for payment of services.
The National Border Service (SENAFRONT) between 2012 and 2013 made 21 payments to Pele for $ 941,831
Commissioner Frank Abrego who commanded the SENAFRONT during that period. did not respond to calls from La Prensa.
The Ministry of Public Security in 2013 paid $823,249 for a maintenance contract.The then Public Security Minister, Jose Raul Mulino, who was one of the main proponents of Pele Police, could not be located, but his administration defended the device as a measure against crime.
In October 2011, the Seventh Criminal Court outlawed the “Pele Police” in the absence of legislation covering their use
http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/new-company-snagged-31-million-state-contracts
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Roger's reply to Keith's topic was an eye opener for me. I had no idea that some Colombianos are creating such a stir. My take is that this topic is not limited to Colombianos only, because I see (and hear) expats from the north (as opposed to the south) that go over a line of disrespect as well.
When I made the decision to move to Boquete, I promised myself always to conduct myself as a guest in my adopted home. My mom would be seriously disappointed in me if I did otherwise. Being candid, however, I admit that I have at times lost control. The mañana thing mentioned by JohnF was a biggie for me. I tried to always go back and apologize, and to forgive my transgression. The number two item that bothers me is my inability to get a good grasp on the Spanish language. I just find it incredibly difficult at my age.
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19 minutes ago, NewsLady said:
They could have sent a notice out through the news.boquete email service.
They missed informing about 1850 potential customers.
If anybody out there reading this doesn't have a subscription to news.boquete, email your full name to news.boquete@gmail.com
Totally agree Sra NewsLady.
I had a post all ready to go along this line of thinking, but decided not to send it because you are the NewsLady. Glad that you did post this as a gentle reminder of the networking and information resources available here in our area. Sending out announcements via News.Boquete@Gmail.com costs only about 90 seconds of someone's time. But the payback is far greater.
Announcements can also be posted on CL, again without a cost other than a bit of time.
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$300,000 bail for ex-minister
Posted on August 20, 2016 in Panama
Post Views: 156EX-LABOR MINISTER and CD Party luminary Alma Cortés, who faces charges of padding her bank balance with $2.5 million dollars of unjustified enrichment while in office has been granted bail of $300,000.
The decision came from the Second Criminal Court after Cortés, had spent a week behind bars in preventive detention and faced three days of questioning Sixth Anti-Corruption Prosecutor Aurelio Vásquez,
Carlos Carrillo, the lawyer for Cortés, confirmed that the bail was awarded but he did not confirm the amount reports La Prensa.
Her final two days of questioning took at the headquarters of the National Police in Ancón, after CD Party demonstrators had created disturbances in front of the prosecutor’s offices on Via Espana leading to protests from area residents and businesses
The investigation was initiated after an audit by the comptroller found that she earned $2.5 million while in office that could not be justified.
http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/300000-bail-ex-minister
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11 hours ago, Pederhaney said:
They did post on one of the FB group pages.
In my opinion, and not trying to be negative about RetroGusto (a posted sign is better than no notice) ...
FB is neither intuitive nor logical nor efficient with our time. Those attributes make FB an ineffective medium for us. Hence we don't visit FB. We understand that FB has billions of users. I guess that means we are old geezers, and out of step with the masses.
We look at it this way, one gets to choose one way or the other way:
- segregated and standing apart or alone -- FB is about people or businesses posting about themselves (or what they think of others) -- entities working independently in a segregated fashion. To learn of their vacation plans, one has to specifically go search it out on their FB page.
- integrated and inclusive -- On the other hand, a bulletin board (such as CL) is information being shared with a community (region) of common interest -- entities working together in an integrated fashion. Thus multi-topical information is put in front of everyone, and they then decide whether it is of value or not, and act accordingly.
Users get to pick what works best for them. We have made our choice. And so a wasted trip to RetroGusto.
P.S., a lot of what we saw on FB was stuff we really don't care about, such as what someone ate for breakfast. Granted that is not the majority of the content. But hopefully you get my point of the contrasts between the two mindsets about getting information out to a community.
Man jailed for altering electric meter
in Public Utilities (Water, Sewer, Electricity, Propane, Garbage Service, etc.)
Posted
http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/man-jailed-altering-electric-meter