Moderators Moderator_02 Posted May 14, 2020 Moderators Share Posted May 14, 2020 Quote 13 complaints against ex-president Varela and his VP Posted 13/05/2020 The Credentials Commission of the National Assembly decided is sending 13 complaints against former President Juan Carlos Varela and former Vice President Isabel De Saint Malo to the Public Ministry a According to the Commission chaired by the Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD), deputy Roberto Ábrego, this State Organ no longer has powers to investigate Varela and De Saint Malo. According to the Political Constitution of Panama, the President and Vice President are investigated by the National Assembly, however, once they leave office they go to the regular justice system. In the case of former President Ricardo Martinelli, who faced a process for illegal wiretapping during his administration, he was investigated by the Supreme Court at the beginning of the investigations, because he was a deputy of the Central American Parliament (Parlacen). Upon resigning as aParlacen deputy, his case was transferred to the Accusatory Criminal System. There were multiple complaints filed against Varela and De Saint Malo. The vast majority filed b There were multiple complaints filed against Varela and De Saint Malo. The vast majority filed by former president Martinelli's legal team for crimes against honor and public administration. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/13-complaints-against-ex-president-varela-and-his-vp-to-public-ministry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_02 Posted May 14, 2020 Author Moderators Share Posted May 14, 2020 Quote Diputados desempolvan denuncias contra Varela, las remiten al Ministerio Público Aminta Bustamante 13 may 2020 - 11:45 PM Roberto Ábrego (Izq.), presidente de la comisión, y Gonzalo González, secretario (Der.) Román Dibulet La Comisión de Credenciales de la Asamblea Nacional se inhibió de analizar las denuncias contra el expresidente de la República Juan Carlos Varela y la exvicepresidenta Isabel de Saint Malo y las remitió al Ministerio Público (MP). En una reunión que duró menos de media hora, la Comisión de Credenciales, que dirige el perredista Roberto Ábrego desempolvó las 13 denuncias acumuladas contra dichos exfuncionarios. Diez de los expedientes mencionan a Varela y tres a De Saint Malo. En su mayoría, las denuncias plantean la supuesta comisión de abuso de autoridad y violación a los derechos humanos. Entre ellas, una presentada en 2019 por el abogado Alejandro Pérez, en la que pide que se les investigue por la supuesta destrucción de los radares instalados para combatir el crimen organizado, durante la administración de Ricardo Martinelli (2009-2014). Durante la sesión, el diputado independiente Juan Diego Vásquez explicó que la comisión rechazó las denuncias debido a que no tienen competencia para atenderlas. Cuestionó que los diputados del quinquenio pasado nunca las analizaron. “Esperamos que el Ministerio Público cumpla con su función constitucional de perseguir el delito cuando así lo encuentre”. El perredista Gonzalo González indicó que ni Varela ni De Saint Malo son diputados del Parlamento Centroamericano, por lo que la competencia de investigarlos es del MP. La Constitución señala en su artículo 160 que le corresponde a la Asamblea investigar al presidente de la República y su vicepresidente, mientras que el Reglamento Interno del Legislativo plantea que es la Comisión de Credenciales la que debe abordar el tema. En la comisión aún esperan análisis 28 denuncias contra magistrados de la Corte Suprema de Justicia, que no fueron abordadas ayer. Junto a Ábrego, Vásquez, y González estuvieron presentes sus colegas de Cambio Democrático, Génesis Arjona y Raúl Rodríguez, suplente de Ana Giselle Rosas; el perredista Juan Esquivel, al igual que Francisco Pancho Alemán, del Movimiento Liberal Republicano Nacionalista. Entre las denuncias que serán enviadas al Ministerio Público está una presentada por Florencio Barba Harta contra Varela, por presuntos actos ejecutados en el ejercicio de sus funciones como presidente de la República. Video: Román Dibulet. https://t.co/iZFv0PwHMZ pic.twitter.com/saxkp9pzsJ — La Prensa Panamá (@prensacom) May 13, 2020 Moderator comment: Below is an unedited automated translation of the above news article, including the embedded Tweet. Quote Deputies dust off complaints against Varela, send them to the Public Ministry Aminta Bustamante May 13, 2020 - 11:45 PM <<EFWKU3ID3JHCXO6DAJSUNNGYCU.jpg>> Roberto Ábrego (Left), president of the commission, and Gonzalo González, secretary (Right.) Román Dibulet The Credentials Committee of the National Assembly refused to analyze the complaints against former President of the Republic Juan Carlos Varela and former Vice President Isabel de Saint Malo and forwarded them to the Public Ministry (MP). In a meeting that lasted less than half an hour, the Credentials Commission, led by PRD member Roberto Ábrego, dusted off the 13 accumulated complaints against said former officials. Ten of the files mention Varela and three mention De Saint Malo. The majority of the complaints raise the alleged commission of abuse of authority and violation of human rights. Among them, one presented in 2019 by the lawyer Alejandro Pérez, in which he asks that they be investigated for the alleged destruction of the radars installed to combat organized crime, during the Ricardo Martinelli administration (2009-2014). During the session, the independent deputy Juan Diego Vásquez explained that the commission rejected the complaints because they have no competence to attend to them. He questioned that the deputies of the last five years never analyzed them. "We hope that the Public Ministry fulfills its constitutional function of prosecuting crime when it finds it so." The PRD Gonzalo González indicated that neither Varela nor De Saint Malo are deputies of the Central American Parliament, so the competence to investigate them belongs to the MP. The Constitution states in its article 160 that it is the responsibility of the Assembly to investigate the President of the Republic and his Vice President, while the Internal Regulations of the Legislative state that it is the Credentials Commission that must address the issue. 28 complaints against magistrates of the Supreme Court of Justice are still awaiting analysis in the commission, which were not addressed yesterday. Along with Ábrego, Vásquez, and González, their colleagues from Cambio Democrático, Génesis Arjona and Raúl Rodríguez, substitute for Ana Giselle Rosas; the PRD Juan Esquivel, like Francisco Pancho Alemán, of the Liberal Republican Nationalist Movement. Quote Among the complaints that will be sent to the Public Ministry is one filed by Florencio Barba Harta against Varela, for alleged acts carried out in the exercise of his functions as President of the Republic. Video: Román Dibulet. https://t.co/iZFv0PwHMZ pic.twitter.com/saxkp9pzsJ - La Prensa Panamá (@prensacom) May 13, 2020 https://www.prensa.com/impresa/panorama/diputados-desempolvan-denuncias-contra-varela-las-remiten-al-mp/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_02 Posted June 26, 2020 Author Moderators Share Posted June 26, 2020 Quote The innocent don't run says Varela Posted 25/06/2020 "Innocent men do not run away", says former Panama president Juan Carlos Varela, reacting to a complaint filed against him alleged of money laundering and illegal association linked to the Odebrecht case. He said that his legal representatives would attend the evidence validation hearing, on Thursday, June 25. The complaint was filed in July last year by lawyers Miguel Antonio Bernal and Sidney Sittón (a lead member of the Ricardo Martinelli legal team In a letter, Varela makes an obvious reference to Martinelli who fled Panama the day after he left office : Today's hearing is the media effort of powerful interests with links to corruption, which saturate the judicial system to distract us from their own judicial problems." According to the note, released by the Varela communications office, the hearing is not a trial, it is a regular hearing to validate information and " as he has done at all times, former President Juan Carlos Varela is cooperating with the investigators, despite the fact that the complaint has no merit. " He adds that, in Panama, anyone can file a complaint without any evidence. There are no consequences for filing " frivolous complaints " and wasting the time and resources of the Public Ministry (MP). "Juan Carlos Varela, like every citizen, has the same rights as any other Panamanian," says the note, and that "they can invade their privacy, tap their phone, manipulate and distort their messages, file claims based on false information, and can use the media. communication-related to those powerful interests with ties to corruption to amplify their lies, but at the end of the day they cannot take away their rights or create facts that do not exist, ”the note says. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/the-innocent-dont-run-says-varela Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_02 Posted June 27, 2020 Author Moderators Share Posted June 27, 2020 Quote Setback for Varela defense at control hearing Juan Carlos Varela Posted 26/06/2020 The defenders of former President Juan Carlos Varela and former Housing Minister Carlos Dubois suffered a setback at the legality control hearing requested by the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office as part of an investigation being carried out for alleged money laundering and association to commit crimes.. In the reserved hearing, at the request of the Public Ministry and with the consent of the defense, Judge Irene Cedeño legalized countless tests provided by banking entities within the investigations, considering that due process was complied with without affecting or restricting fundamental rights. . Marta Sánchez, the deputy prosecutor, said that the defense opposed the request to validate the bank information, however, the guarantee judge considered that none os the rights of of those named in the case had been violated.The Public Ministry participated in this hearing, which was represented by the Prosecutor Marta Estela Sánchez; Particular Technical Defense was exercised by Graduates Erasmo Muñoz and Cosme Moreno. Ms. Denise Ruíz acted as Public Defender. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/setback-for-varela-defense-at-control-hearing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_02 Posted June 30, 2020 Author Moderators Share Posted June 30, 2020 Quote Most complaints from “lawyers linked to corrupt politicians” Posted 29/06/2020 Former President Juan Carlos Varela made a less than 20 minute “voluntary” visit to the office of the anti-corruption prosecutor in the Odebrecht case on Monday, June 29. The prosecutor is investigating a complaint against him for alleged money laundering and illegal association to commit crimes. Varela went to the prosecution service "voluntarily" , according to his spokesman Carlos Estrada, four days after the judge of guarantees Irene Cedeño validated the evidence in the complaint filed by Sidney Sittón and Miguel Antonio Bernal, which also involved the former Minister of Works Publics and ex-treasurer of the Panameñista party, Carlos Duboy, and ex-diplomat Jaime Lasso and his daughter Michelle. In the proceeding, Judge Cedeño argued that the seizure of data did not violate the rights or guarantees of the accused According to Varala, he went to the Prosecutor’s office with the intention of expressing that he is in the best position to answer any question on the subject of donations in electoral campaigns. "I have come to put myself at the disposal of the Public Ministry, and answer any questions about donations for our political campaigns," said Varela after a visit that lasted less than 20 minutes. The former president said that in his government works for more than $20 billion were tendered, "and not one is being investigated for a price premium." More than 15 complaints filed against him ‘’have a common denominator of harassment and threats Varela told waiting media. “ Almost all of them come from lawyers linked to corrupt politicians and drug traffickers. They also come from the same source that has been harassing journalists, judges, prosecutors, and former judicial officials, as well as Panamanians, committed to building a decent Panama.” https://www.newsroompanama.com/business/most-complaints-from-lawyers-linked-to-corrupt-politicians-varela Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_02 Posted July 2, 2020 Author Moderators Share Posted July 2, 2020 See a related posting at https://chiriqui.life/topic/6295-whats-next-for-ricardo-martinelli-and-his-family/page/27/?tab=comments#comment-42278. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_02 Posted July 3, 2020 Author Moderators Share Posted July 3, 2020 Quote Ex-president Varela faces money laundering investigation Juan Carlos Varela Posted 02/07/2020 Former Panama President Juan Carlos Varela (2014-2019), appeared on Thursday morning, July 2, at the Special Anti - Corruption Prosecutor's Office in the Odebrecht case, who summoned him to face an investigation for alleged money laundering while his predecessor, Ricardo Martinelli (2009-2014). was attending an interrogation by the Second Specialized Prosecutor Against Organized Crime who called him to investigate the New Business case, about the purchase of the Grupo Epasa allegedly with public funds "I answer to the Public Ministry, which has summoned me," said Varela when he arrived at the headquarters of the prosecution, shortly before 9:00 am, where prosecutor Ruth Morcillo was waiting for him. Minutes earlier, Martinelli had entered. A week ago, in another process linked to Odebrecht that took place under the accusatory criminal system (SPA), the judge of guarantees Irene Cedeño validated the evidence in the complaint filed by Sidney Sittón and Miguel Antonio Bernal against Varela, and which also reaches the former Minister of Public Works and former treasurer of the Panameñista party , Carlos Duboy, and the former diplomat Jaime Lasso and his daughter Michelle. https://www.newsroompanama.com/business/ex-president-varela-faces-money-laundering-investigation Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_02 Posted July 4, 2020 Author Moderators Share Posted July 4, 2020 Quote Second ex-president under country arrest Posted 03/07/2020 After a day-long interrogation on Thursday, July 2 special Odebrecht anti-corruption prosecutor Ruth Morcillo slapped a country arrest order on former president Juan Carlos Varela, which means he cannot leave the country without judicial authorization and must report on the 30th of each month. Unlike former president Ricardo Martinelli, who earlier in the day received the same restriction, Varela did not take advantage of article 25 of the Constitution, which states that no one is obliged to testify against himself. He answered questions from the prosecutor, who inquired about the money the Panameñista Party received from the Brazilian construction company Odebrecht. Those funds would have been used in the electoral campaigns in 2009 when Varela allied with Ricardo Martinelli to reach the presidential palace : Martinelli as president and he as vice-president, and in 2014, when Varela won the Presidency reports La Prensa. Jaime Lasso the ex-consul of Panama in South Korea, and close to the former president in February 13 and 17 told the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor, that he was the link to receive the funds. According to the prosecution's investigations, Odebrecht's money went to the Panameñista Party through the Don James Foundation and through two companies: V-Tech and Poseidon Enterprises, all linked to Lasso. Supposedly, with that money, the political group paid for electoral campaigning. Varela insists that the money is not the product of bribes, but "donations No one above law The ex-preaident left the prosecutor’s office at 6:40 pm "I have come to comply with the summons from the Ministry earlier today. As I have said in all my speeches, no one is above the law. All citizens have to be responsible, comply with the laws of the country and, above all, when one is part of a process and is safe and feels sure of himself and his innocence, he must assume the correct procedural attitude: to appear, to answer, to clarify. Always be available to the authorities and that is what we are doing. This is what we are going to continue doing, ”he told waiting journalists. He added that he will go to the prosecution as many times as necessary to clarify his innocence and answer any questions the Public Ministry has about the case. "And so comply with the country and strengthen the rule of law." https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/second-ex-president-under-country-arrest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_02 Posted July 8, 2020 Author Moderators Share Posted July 8, 2020 Quote Ex-president Varela returns to corruption investigation Posted 07/07/2020 While much of Central America’s media attention was focused on the Guatemala court appearance of the sons of a former Panama president on Tuesday, July 7 another former President Juan Carlos Varela, as at the Public Ministry (MP), for the extension of an investigation in the Odebrecht case. Varela, upon arrival, said that he came in compliance to give statements, ready to answer any questions, accompanied by his legal team and all the relevant information that refers to questions. " I am here to answer any question from the Public Ministry, like any citizen, an honest man does not run away, he shows his face, " said the former president. According to Varela, for him, there is no better way to defend the honor than to appear before the authorities to answer any question. " I am one more Panamanian who is answering for my public life, the best legacy and defense that one can leave for your children is a name and if you have to come to clarify something you have to do it, " he said, adding that he will go to the Public Ministry as many times as required, because he is a responsible man and that he maintains the correct procedural attitude. On July 2Varela attended the investigation at the Anticorruption Prosecutor's Office, which lasted more than eight hours. A precautionary measure to prevent Varela from leaving the country and reporting on the 30th of each month was applied. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/ex-president-varela-returns-to-corruption-investigation Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_02 Posted July 22, 2020 Author Moderators Share Posted July 22, 2020 Quote Ex-president faces third money laundering pro Posted 20/07/2020 Following on two previous marathon investigations totaling over 30 hours former Panama president Juan Carlos Varela arrived at the offices of the special anti-corruption prosecutor on Monday, July 21 for further questioning for alleged money laundering, related to bribes paid by the Brazilian Odebrecht construction company. "In these sad, difficult, and complicated moments that the country is experiencing, I have come to comply with the authorities because it is my duty as a citizen," said Varela who is under country arrest with orders to report monthly. He added that "in a democracy, respect for the authorities is part of the proper functioning." In past visits, Varela has claimed to be a man of "showing face" and not "running away." In a similar investigation. former president Ricardo Martinelli declined to answer questions and in others, ahs produced medical disability certificates. https://www.newsroompanama.com/business/ex-president-faces-third-money-laundering-pro Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_02 Posted July 23, 2020 Author Moderators Share Posted July 23, 2020 Quote Ex- president faces third marathon grilling Posted 22/07/2020 Former President Juan Carlos Varela left the office of the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor investigating Odebrecht bribes at 7.15 pm on Monday Jul. 20 after his third marathon session lasting 12 hors and must return July 27, to continue with the diligence. Leaving the prosecutor Varela told reporters that he is linked to the process "mainly" by financing the two political campaigns in which he has participated in his public life: as a candidate for vice president of the Republic, in the 2009 election, already president of the Republic, in 2014. In the 2009 election, the payroll was headed by Ricardo Martinelli , who has also been summoned for investigation in this case, but has not appeared; Martinelli's last excuse was the presentation of a medical certificate that disabled him for 60 days, until the beginning of September. Varela also said that this process is not related to his tenure as President of the Republic, from 2014 to 2019. He said that he will go to the prosecution as many times as required and stressed that when his investigation before the Public Ministry ends, he will explain to the country all the information that links him to the facts under investigation. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/ex-president-faces-third-marathon-grilling Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted January 31, 2022 Moderators Share Posted January 31, 2022 Quote Judge denies ex-president’s request to leave Panama Juan Carlos Varela. Posted 31/01/2022 The judge of the First Judicial Circuit of Panama, Baloisa Marquínez, denied a request to leave the country to former President Juan Carlos Varela for a period of 17 days, to attend an invitation from a university in Spain. According to his lawyers, Judge Marquínez's decision contradicts the position of the Public Prosecutor's Office, which, stated on two occasions that: "Mr. Juan Carlos Varela Rodríguez has satisfactorily complied with his personal precautionary measure. He maintains work and personal roots in the Republic of Panama, and the investigation phase has concluded, for which he considers, there is no danger of destroying evidence or hindering the investigation." "We emphasize once again that former President Varela has shown at all times his willingness to prove his innocence and clarify all issues related to his political campaigns," commented the former president's lawyers, Orison Cogley and Erasmo Muñoz. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/judge-denies-ex-presidents-request-to-leave-panama Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_03 Posted May 25, 2022 Moderators Share Posted May 25, 2022 Quote Court rejects ex-president Varela’s protection gambit Juan Carlos Varela Posted 23/05/2022 The First Superior Court of Justice did not admit a protection of guarantees presented by former president Juan Carlos Varela against the decision of the third judge liquidator of criminal cases, Baloisa Marquínez, who denied an incident of nullity against the Inquiry order issued by the Special Anticorruption Prosecutor's Office in the investigation for alleged money laundering related to Odebrecht contracts. In a ruling dated May 18, under the presentation of Judge Juan Carlos Tatis, the judges of the First Court of Justice upheld Judge Marquínez's decision to endorse the investigation order against Varela, issued by the Superior Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office on June 30, 2020. The ruling says that the protection of guarantees should have been presented at the time the investigation resolution was issued by the prosecution. It adds that the defense will be able to rehearse this resource during the substantive hearing, as required by article 2277 of the Judicial Code. Varela was investigated for the payments made to the presidential campaign of his party, the Panameñista, for the period 2009-2014, as Vice President and for the 2014 electoral campaign, in which he was elected president. July 18 hearing The preliminary hearing for the Odebrecht case is scheduled for July 18. There are 62 people investigated for alleged money laundering, including former presidents Varela and Martinelli. The statements of his co-partisan and ex-consul of Panama in South Korea, Jaime Lasso, were the ones that served for the prosecution to summon him. Lasso, questioned on February 13, 2020, admitted having been the person who accepted payments for Varela’s campaign from 2009 to 2012. According to prosecution investigations, money from Odebrecht reached the Panameñista Party through the Don James Foundation and through two companies: V-Tech and Poseidon Enterprises. Varela has said that “no payment was received of the Odebrecht company”, nor of any other State contractor. https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/court-rejects-ex-president-varelas-protection-gambit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.