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Jim Bondoux

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Jim Bondoux last won the day on September 27 2020

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  • Full Real Name:
    Jim Bondoux
  • Reason for registering:
    Live and/or work in Chiriqui
  • Location of primary residence:
    In Chiriqui
  • Birth (home) country:
    France

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  1. Perhaps. Perhaps not. The Martinelli people claim that the seizure of the private plane was instigated via an anonymous complaint from Panama, and not from the US authorities. A three-page email in support of that claim is reproduced in the PanamaAmerica news site (affiliated with Martinelli). https://www.panamaamerica.com.pa/politica/informe-revela-que-incautacion-avion-fue-por-denuncia-en-pagina-web-no-peticion-estados
  2. I am not sure how to read your question. The financial need is caused by past effects of Covid-19 on government revenues. The proposed borrowing was to fill the gap in revenues consequent to the anti-virus measures taken. The amount was to be $1.75 billion, the term three years. The conditions imposed were said to involve the sale of a couple of government-owned assets and new taxes on incomes, property, and a new tax on bank transfers. There has been an intense negative reaction by the opposition parties and by the populace. The Costa Rican border officials went on strike, joining the action of other labor unions, so the border blockage has nothing to do with any trade dispute. Protests have been happening for seven days, and continue, even though the negotiations with IMF were halted last Sunday. Yesterday, Wednesday October 6, the Costa Rican police reported 21 blockades, including one on Route 32 (San Jose-Limon) and one on the Pan-American highway 200 kilometers north of San Jose. The intent is stop the transport of goods. Panama's President Cortizo was quick to state that he is not considering any taxes. Yesterday the general director of revenues for Panama reiterated that the government is not contemplating new taxes. Here is the President of Costa Rica on a gallows labeled "taxes":
  3. I believe there is a misunderstanding in the way this report is presented. The President of Costa Rica has been in negotiations with the IMF for a $1.75 billion loan, the need for which can be ascribed to the economic consequences of the Covid-19-related shutdowns. The conditions required by the IMF include spending cuts and tax increases. The Costa Rican population has demonstrated for several days against the prospective measures, and has blocked up to 36 different roads, paralyzing the country. Today, Tuesday October 6, the police report 17 blockades throughout the country, and there are calls for further demonstrations. The President has aborted the negotiations. Yes, there have been arguments between Panama and Costa Rica over trade and Covid-19 sanitation issues, but this is not one of them.
  4. I sense a lot of excitement surrounding this development. Martinelli needs 40,000 members to confirm the registration of his new political party, and it appears likely he will be successful in short order. The "Tribunal Electoral" is installing atm-like kiosks in transportation hubs and supermarkets to facilitate party registrations. Martinelli founded the CD party in 1998, and ultimately had nearly 500,000 members at the height of his presidential term. He seems confident of success, having publicly told elected CD party members who wish to join the new "RM" party to maintain their affiliation for now, just to send their party officials. They will be welcome at the right time. He announced (my translation) "RM is a new opposition party that will support the government in all things it does well, and we will criticize it in all the things it does wrong. We are going to return the quality of life to the Panamanian people." He also said (again, my translation): "We have learned a lot from the mistakes of the past; RM is a party that does not seek revenge, does not seek fights and when we come to power I want all the haters I have, which are many, by my side to help me and to criticize me if I do something wrong." He has many enemies in the political class, but the memory of the prosperous trends during his administration will likely resonate with a voter mass that is stressed from the economic fallout from the anti-coronavirus measures. Cute logo, that stands for "Attaining Goals" (Realizando Metas) but also the initials of one Ricardo Martinelli.
  5. The lockdowns around the world have disrupted supply lines, and folks are now playing catch-up. The US west coast ports are suddenly very busy, eastbound transpacific cargo rates are at high levels, the container manufacturers are booked solid through next February. Retailers stocking for Christmas are behind schedule. Coats has 60 manufacturing plants around the world, but none in the US, and I imagine they too are playing catch-up with Amazon and all their other US customers.
  6. The bus companies that serve the Panama City-Boquete route shut down completely at the time of the quarantine declaration. I see several of the jitney buses serving Chiriqui routes, and folks waiting (with social separation) at the bus stop shelters. This was posted on facebook back in March:
  7. Yes, and there are another three tropical waves marching in sequence behind this one. They are about 3 days' apart, depending on their speed across the Atlantic and the Caribbean. The three weather charts posted below are 24-hour, 48-hour, and 72-hour looks ahead. They show the expected progression of the tropical waves. The major wind/precipitation occurs with and behind the wave, so it looks like Monday and Tuesday will be quite wet in Western Panama. Tropical Waves.pdf
  8. The report I read said that the police had let the protest through one of the roadblocks when a driver quoted the Panamanian Constitution. They only stopped the protest when it neared Casco Viejo, where the Presidential Palace is located. The relevant article is Article 38:
  9. Nope. It's behind the Ruiz warehouse and the Terpel station in Bajo Boquete. Animales has held large patio sales there. I only see it used for basketball games in the evenings, usually Mondays.
  10. I have no connection to any of the actors in this discussion. However, I'll jump in and share my views, FWIW. Your indulgence is requested. 1. TapOut is probably a more reliable and financially stable tenant than the BCP, and therefore is the better candidate as primary lessee. 2. The auditorium is a terrific resource for theatrical productions, Sunday movies, and Tuesday presentations. I'm willing to bet that attendance at the Tuesday presentations is substantially independent from the Tuesday market, i.e. most of the audience for whatever is on the program would show up for the presentation even if there were no concurrent market activity. Obviously that statement also stands for the Sunday movies and various theatrical performances. It's the subject matter that draws attendees, not the market. 3. Then the logic is to have TapOut as master lessee simply rent out the auditorium on an ad hoc basis for whatever it is used for (remember, when it reopens it will be limited to 25% capacity...). For a presentation, there is there something magic about Tuesday 10:30am? 4. The Tuesday market seems to have outgrown its infrastructure. I suggest that alternative sites might prove to have better economics. The El Cancho gymnasium comes to mind, as does the Bible Fellowship building (former Amigos, etc) as offering sheltered vendor space and roomy parking options. A wider horizon (e.g. Alto Boquete) offers additional alternatives perhaps worthy of consideration. 5. Who are the vendors who draw traffic to the Tuesday market? How can such vendors be developed or encouraged? I probably missed them, but surveys of visitors to the Tuesday market would be useful guides for future improvement strategies. Anecdote: I know of one vendor whose traditional location was unilaterally changed and who no longer shows up, and who was probably 50% of the reason I would come on Tuesdays... The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on....
  11. Their website (https://www.novey.com.pa) states that they are making deliveries on the MINSA-directed schedule. I assume you can order merchandise on the website and have it delivered by their staff (MINSA requires that deliveries be made via vehicles owned by the retailer). I imagine that one could pickup orders at the store, but that would need to be confirmed with them. Their website covers their nationwide network, so I think a direct verbal contact with the David store(s) would be best, to confirm that they have resumed operations.. Their "Contactenos" button on the website provides for email exchange, and who knows how (un)responsive that might be... I have 775-9343 and 775-9802 as Novey phone numbers in David. FWIW.
  12. Interesting article in La Prensa suggesting that Panama may have a bit of a constitutional crisis. Informal translation follows: QUOTE Mayors may not acknowledge the Executive's decision on a dry law? The decision of the Executive to end today the dry law, was not well received by the Association of Municipalities of Panama. However, the mayors cannot ignore the measure. By José Arcia - Updated 05/08/2020 The decision of the Executive to end today the dry law, was not well received by the Association of Municipalities of Panama. However, the mayors cannot ignore the measure. Mayors may be unaware of the Executive's decision on dry law? That is the opinion of the constitutional lawyer Ernesto Cedeño, who explained in his twitter account that Law 38 of 2000 establishes that the decisions of the Executive are above the mayoral decrees and the municipal agreements. "In a state of law, even if you do not like a decision of the Executive, you must abide by it," he said. "The mayors can execute the norms established by the municipal councils that are below what the Executive establishes, the laws and the Constitution," the lawyer noted. As a result of the fact that the Central Government announced last Wednesday, the lifting of the dry law, some mayors such as the one in Santiago, Veraguas, issued a dry law decree. For his part, the mayor of Panama, José Luis Fábrega, said that he will abide by the government's decision. UNQUOTE
  13. The earlier post says "for an unspecified period of time". My reading of mayor Josmar Alvarado's decree says that the ban on alcoholic beverages will continue until the National State of Emergency is lifted. He also set fines for non-compliance (100 Balboas first offense, 500 for the second).
  14. Subject to obtaining the required approvals, COPA's tentative plan is to restart flying on June 1, with 50 destinations served at the outset. The preliminary weekly schedule was published today by La Prensa: the table notes destination cities and the number of weekly flights planned for each.
  15. My gardener got a pass a couple of days ago. It's essentially a "Safe Conduct" certificate. SALVO CONDUCTO DE CIRCULACION DE PRODUCTOR. It was issued by the Ministry of Agricultural Development, and is valid for 60 days.
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