Moderators Moderator_02 Posted September 11, 2020 Moderators Share Posted September 11, 2020 Quote Vice-president defends $10.35 million splurge on cars Posted 10/09/2020 In the midst of a social and economic crisis created by the Covid-19 pandemic, Vice President, José Gabriel Gaby Carrizo and Presidency Minister, José Gabriel Gaby Carrizo justifies the spending of $10.3 million) in rental of 251 cars for officials of the Presidency. He said the tender was a "considerable savings" compared to the last government's contract reports La Prensa. Meanwhile , the Director of the National Budget, of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Carlos González, claimed that renting the cars generates savings ranging from 15% to 20% compared to the option of buying them. Neither official mentioned the dramatic drop in revenue: 34.3% until last August; what Carrizo did say is that the government, even facing the pandemic, "responsibly attends to the needs of Panamanians." Carrizo even published two tables in which he compared the 2018 lease and the public act that is being processed. In 2018, the expense was $5,966,487 (one year); and the one now will be $5,176,970, also one year. A saving, according to Carrizo, of $789,516. Several of the citizens who responded to Carrizo's message reminded him that in 2018 there was no health crisis. They also told him that he seeks to "justify" a millionaire expense, while thousands of Panamanians do not receive help in the midst of the crisis. The public unease over this spending in the midst of the crisis was transferred to a protest that took place in front of the University of Panama. Students protesting cuts in the university budget warned that the Cortizo government must better evaluate its priorities. https://www.newsroompanama.com/business/vice-president-defends-1035-million-splurge-on-cars Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_02 Posted September 11, 2020 Author Moderators Share Posted September 11, 2020 Quote OPINION: And the rich man drives by La Prensa cartoonist Lowi highlights government proglifacy while other needs like justice, health, education, security, and the cost of the basic food basket go unattended Posted 10/09/2020 The Ministry of the Presidency manages the rental of 251 vehicles for an amount greater than $ 10 million. Under less pressing circumstances, this hire wouldn't be so outrageous. But our officials seem to forget that we are in the midst of a pandemic, that tens of thousands of people have been left without work, that many small businesses have probably gone bankrupt, that we have much higher priorities than meeting this expense. What should be done is to invest every penny to boost the economy, as there will be a serious impact from this health emergency that will continue for several more months. Allocating such an amount of money to rent cars reveals the human smallness of our rulers, while thousands of Panamanians who trusted them remain mired in uncertainty, wondering what will become of them and their families. The few resources of the country should not be wasted on trivialities that only seek the comfort of those who spend these millions. How can you call this good government? How empty these words sound in the face of such waste! - LA PRENSA, Sep.11 https://www.newsroompanama.com/opinion/opinion-and-the-rich-man-drives-by Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_02 Posted September 11, 2020 Author Moderators Share Posted September 11, 2020 Quote ¿Quién utiliza los vehículos oficiales?, el otro debate Aminta Bustamante 10 sep 2020 - 11:41 PM Ministerio de la Presidencia renovará flota. Román Dibulet Pese a que el director de Presupuesto del Ministerio de Economía y Finanzas, Carlos González, defendió el millonario alquiler de vehículos que gestiona el Ministerio de la Presidencia, argumentando que el Gobierno ahorrará más y que los carros, incluso, se han usado en el plan de trazabilidad contra el coronavirus, resurge el debate sobre el uso que se le da a estos bienes y la manera cómo se asignan. Solo el pasado 15 de agosto, día de cuarentena total, un carro estatal fue detectado transportando personal a la vivienda de Pedro Ortiz, en Dorado Lakes, donde se realizaba una fiesta. En ese momento, Ortiz era asesor de la Autoridad de Aseo Urbano y Domiciliario. El Ministerio Público le abrió una investigación por posible peculado de uso, mientras que la Contraloría retuvo el vehículo y le impuso una sanción. Casos como ese se repiten una y otra vez en la administración pública y por estos días vuelven al escenario a raíz de que la Presidencia pretende gastar $10.3 millones en el alquiler de 251 carros que usarán funcionarios de esa cartera, en momentos de crisis económica por la pandemia. “Que usen sus propios vehículos como hacemos varios”, escribió ayer en Twitter el diputado independiente Edison Broce, tras advertir que “no se justifica que hayan vehículos para tantos funcionarios, incluyendo directores, secretarios”. Mientras, el exdirector de la Dirección de Carrera Administrativa David Montenegro recordó que el mal uso de los bienes del Estado no solo es una falta administrativa, que en muchos casos llega hasta la destitución del puesto, sino que también es un deber de los funcionarios usar prudentemente los bienes públicos, más en estos tiempos de crisis. “Es momento de que el Gobierno se amarre los pantalones y ponga el ejemplo. Debe cumplir con el supuesto plan de austeridad para salir de esta grave crisis de salud y económica”, manifestó. Actualmente, no hay una norma que diga cómo se deben asignar estos bienes. En la práctica, cada jefe de entidad tiene la potestad de asignarlos a discreción y por lo general quedan en manos de las personas de confianza del funcionario de más rango. El manual para la administración y control de los bienes patrimoniales de la Contraloría General de la República dice que cada institución tiene la “responsabilidad” de definir las disposiciones particulares sobre el uso y manejo de los bienes patrimoniales en su reglamento interno. También establece que está prohibido “disponer y hacer uso para beneficio personal o favorecer a particulares de los bienes con que la misma cuenta”. Sin embargo, esta disposición no se tiene en cuenta todas las veces. Moderator comment: Below is an unedited automated translation of the above news article. Quote Who uses official vehicles ?, the other debate Aminta Bustamante 10 Sep 2020 - 11:41 PM <<load.jpg>> Ministry of the Presidency will renew fleet. Roman Drawlet Despite the fact that the Director of Budget of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Carlos González, defended the millionaire car rental managed by the Ministry of the Presidency, arguing that the Government will save more and that cars have even been used in the plan of traceability against the coronavirus, the debate about the use that is given to these goods and the way how they are assigned resurfaces. Only on August 15, the day of total quarantine, a state car was detected transporting personnel to Pedro Ortiz's home, in Dorado Lakes, where a party was taking place. At that time, Ortiz was an advisor to the Urban and Home Cleaning Authority. The Public Ministry opened an investigation for possible embezzlement of use, while the Comptroller's Office retained the vehicle and imposed a penalty. Cases like that are repeated over and over again in the public administration and these days they return to the scene as a result of the Presidency trying to spend $ 10.3 million on the rental of 251 cars that will be used by officials of that portfolio, in times of economic crisis due to the pandemic. "Let them use their own vehicles as we do several," wrote independent deputy Edison Broce yesterday on Twitter, after warning that "it is not justified that there are vehicles for so many officials, including directors, secretaries." Meanwhile, the former director of the Administrative Career Directorate David Montenegro recalled that the misuse of State assets is not only an administrative offense, which in many cases leads to dismissal from the post, but it is also the duty of officials to use prudently public goods, especially in these times of crisis. “It is time for the government to tie up its pants and set an example. It must comply with the supposed austerity plan to get out of this serious health and economic crisis, "he said. Currently, there is no rule that says how these assets should be allocated. In practice, each head of the entity has the power to assign them at their discretion and they generally remain in the hands of trusted persons of the highest ranking official. The manual for the administration and control of heritage assets of the Comptroller General of the Republic says that each institution has the “responsibility” to define the particular provisions on the use and management of heritage assets in its internal regulations. It also establishes that it is forbidden to "dispose and make use for personal benefit or favor private individuals of the goods with which the same account". However, this provision is not taken into account every time. https://www.prensa.com/impresa/panorama/quien-utiliza-los-vehiculos-oficiales-el-otro-debate/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Moderator_02 Posted September 12, 2020 Author Moderators Share Posted September 12, 2020 Quote Alquiler de carros: dos empresas quieren el pastel más grande Cinco compañías presentaron ofertas; dos de ellas pujaron por seis de los siete renglones de la licitación pública: Panamá Car Rental y Thrifty. Eliana Morales Gil 12 sep 2020 - 12:00 AM Alquiler de carros: dos empresas quieren el pastel más grande Dos compañías, Panamá Car Rental e Inter Marketing Inc. (Thrifty), pujaron por seis de los siete renglones que conforman el pliego de cargos de la licitación pública para el alquiler de 251 vehículos, que usarán funcionarios de las dependencias del Ministerio de la Presidencia. Panamá Car Rental, empresa que preside Jorge Juan De la Guardia, busca adjudicarse los contratos de los renglones 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 y 6, y presentó un precio total de $10 millones. Mientras que Thrifty, que representa Eduardo Márquez Salerno, puja por los renglones 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 y 7, y ofertó un costo global de $10.1 millones. Los renglones La porción del pastel más grande la conforman los renglones 1 y 2: las camionetas todo terreno. El primero es para el alquiler de 100 camionetas a un precio de referencia de $5.1 millones. Mientras que el segundo es para otros 44 vehículos todo terreno, a un costo estimado de $1.8 millones. (Ver renglones en la gráfica). La cartera que dirige el vicepresidente José Gabriel Carrizo gastará, al menos, $10.3 millones en el alquiler de los 251 vehículos. Otras propuestas En total, cinco empresas se presentaron al acto de recepción de propuestas y apertura de sobres, que se desarrolló ayer en el Anfiteatro de la Presidencia. Las otras tres sociedades son: Arrendadora Global, que apuesta por los renglones 3, 5 y 6 (ofertó $2.4 millones); Renta Car Panameña, S.A., que pujó por los renglones 2, 4, 5, 6 y 7 ($3.6 millones), y Servicios Turísticos Panameños, S.A., que se interesó por los renglones 3, 4, 5 y 6 ($3.1 millones). Aurora Medina, jefa del Departamento de Proveeduría y Compras del Ministerio de la Presidencia, explicó que el acta de la reunión sería publicado en PanamaCompra, y, en efecto, ayer, al cierre de esta edición, el documento ya estaba en el sitio electrónico con las propuestas para cada uno de los renglones que presentaron las cinco empresas. El próximo lunes es el último día para corregir documentos y, en los próximos días, una comisión verificadora emitirá sus consideraciones. Alquiler de autos. Mientras en la Presidencia se abrían los sobres con las propuestas, en Cartí, en la comarca Guna Yala, el presidente Laurentino Cortizo defendía el millonario alquiler de vehículos. “Yo no tengo dudas que es mucho mejor, por razones obvias, alquilar vehículos que comprarlos”, aseguró el mandatario, uniéndose así al coro de voces que desde el Gobierno han justificado el gasto en momentos en que el país afronta una severa crisis económica producto de la pandemia por la Covid-19. Hasta agosto pasado, los ingresos del Estado habían caído 34.3%, y en el Ministerio de Economía y Finanzas han afilado el lápiz para recortar presupuesto a varias entidades. En esa lista están la Universidad de Panamá y la Secretaría Nacional de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación, institución que ha sido clave en la estrategia frente a la pandemia. Caras conocidas Cuatro de las cinco empresas que presentaron propuestas ya alquilan sus flotas vehiculares a la Presidencia. En 2018, en el gobierno de Juan Carlos Varela (2014-2019), se adjudicaron contratos para renglones muy similares por los que pujan ahora. Entonces fueron contratadas Panamá Car Rental (por $4.2 millones), Thrifty ($586 mil), Arrendadora Global, S.A. ($522 mil 286 ) y Rent a Car Panameña. S.A. ($596 mil 339). Debido a la transición de gobiernos, esos contratos recibieron varias adendas para que el tiempo de alquiler se extendiera por lo menos dos años más y, en consecuencia, los montos se elevaron considerablemente. ¿Cómo se asignan? El millonario gasto en el alquiler de carros no solo ha estado en el centro de las críticas, porque se gestiona en plena pandemia. También ha surgido el debate por la poca información que hay sobre la manera en que se asignan al personal. Este medio consultó a la Presidencia qué funcionarios usarán estos carros, y se limitaron a informar que los beneficiados son servidores de las distintas dependencias del Ministerio de la Presidencia y del Servicio de Protección Institucional (SPI). Moderator comment: Below is an unedited automated translation of the above news article. Quote Car rental: two companies want the biggest cake Five companies submitted offers; two of them bid for six of the seven lines of the public tender: Panama Car Rental and Thrifty. Eliana Morales Gil Sep 12, 2020 - 12:00 AM <<cars.jpg>> Car rental: two companies want the biggest cake Two companies, Panama Car Rental and Inter Marketing Inc. (Thrifty), bid on six of the seven lines that make up the tender documents for the public tender for the rental of 251 vehicles, which will be used by officials from the dependencies of the Ministry of the Presidency . Panama Car Rental, a company chaired by Jorge Juan De la Guardia, seeks to win the contracts for lines 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, and presented a total price of $ 10 million. While Thrifty, who represents Eduardo Márquez Salerno, bids for lines 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7, and offered a global cost of $ 10.1 million. The lines Rows 1 and 2 make up the biggest slice of the pie: off-road trucks. The first is for the rental of 100 trucks at a reference price of $ 5.1 million. While the second is for another 44 ATVs, at an estimated cost of $ 1.8 million. (See rows in the graph). The portfolio led by Vice President José Gabriel Carrizo will spend at least $ 10.3 million on the rental of the 251 vehicles. Other proposals In total, five companies showed up at the event to receive proposals and open envelopes, which took place yesterday at the Presidential Amphitheater. The other three companies are: Arrendadora Global, which bets on lines 3, 5 and 6 (offered $ 2.4 million); Renta Car Panameña, S.A., which bid for lines 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7 ($ 3.6 million), and Servicios Turísticos Panameños, S.A., which was interested in lines 3, 4, 5 and 6 ($ 3.1 million). Aurora Medina, head of the Department of Procurement and Purchasing of the Ministry of the Presidency, explained that the minutes of the meeting would be published in PanamaCompra, and, indeed, yesterday, at the close of this edition, the document was already on the website with the proposals for each of the lines presented by the five companies. Next Monday is the last day to correct documents and, in the next few days, a verification commission will issue its considerations. >>stats.jpg>> Car rentals. While in the Presidency the envelopes with the proposals were being opened, in Cartí, in the Guna Yala region, President Laurentino Cortizo defended the millionaire car rental. "I have no doubts that it is much better, for obvious reasons, to rent vehicles than to buy them," said the president, thus joining the chorus of voices that from the Government have justified the expense at a time when the country faces a severe economic crisis. from the Covid-19 pandemic. Until last August, state revenues had fallen 34.3%, and the Ministry of Economy and Finance has sharpened the pencil to cut the budget for various entities. On that list are the University of Panama and the National Secretariat of Science, Technology and Innovation, an institution that has been key in the strategy against the pandemic. Known faces Four of the five companies that submitted proposals already rent their vehicle fleets to the Presidency. In 2018, in the government of Juan Carlos Varela (2014-2019), contracts were awarded for very similar lines for which they are bidding now. Then Panama Car Rental (for $ 4.2 million), Thrifty ($ 586 thousand), Arrendadora Global, S.A. were hired. ($ 522 thousand 286) and Rent a Car Panameña. S.A. ($ 596 thousand 339). Due to the transition of governments, these contracts received several addenda to extend the rental period for at least two more years and, consequently, the amounts were raised considerably. How are they assigned? The millionaire spending on car rental has not only been at the center of criticism, because it is managed in the middle of a pandemic. Debate has also arisen because of the little information there is about how personnel are assigned. This media asked the Presidency which officials will use these cars, and they limited themselves to informing that the beneficiaries are servants of the different dependencies of the Ministry of the Presidency and the Institutional Protection Service (SPI). https://www.prensa.com/impresa/panorama/alquiler-de-carros-dos-empresas-quieren-el-pastel-mas-grande/ 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.