What Happened
Several political and infrastructure items stirred debate in Panama this week, highlighting friction in the National Assembly and questions about transparency from the executive branch. President Mulino’s normally weekly press conferences have largely disappeared since January, with only one held in March and next week’s likely to be skipped because it falls on Holy Thursday. Meanwhile, Mayor Mayer Mizrachi’s proposal for a pedestrian tunnel under the Canal was not chosen in a contest run by The Boring Company, and concerns were raised about the project’s lack of studies and the absence of an ACP compatibility permit.
Legislative Flashpoints
Inside the Assembly, tensions flared over a measure to make bioethanol mandatory. Deputy Jonathan Vega complained that the bill was approved “a tambor batiente” — rapidly and without accepting proposed amendments. Ernesto Cedeño, president of the Economy Committee that handled the bill’s first debate, defended the process, saying the project had been widely consulted (including forums in the capital and in Aguadulce) and called critics “seres vivientes mentirosos, embusteros y taquilleros.” The dispute produced heated exchanges and audible recriminations behind the scenes.
Energy and Accountability Proposals
On energy policy, substitute deputy Gabriel Solís advanced a proposal to promote remote net metering and community solar projects. The idea aims to expand access to distributed renewable generation, though the piece in La Prensa cautioned that legislative debates can take unexpected turns and raised the risk that stakeholders tied to distribution companies might seek to alter the bill for their benefit.
Selection of the Ombudsman Begins
Separately, the Assembly’s Government Commission will begin interviews Monday of the 35 candidates for defensor del Pueblo (ombudsman). Each candidate will have five minutes to speak. The process also creates an opportunity for candidates to increase their public profiles, since each must be proposed by a deputy — a dynamic the columnist characterized as a potential avenue for campaigning inside the legislature.
Background and Broader Implications
Taken together, these developments reflect a mix of governance and infrastructure issues in Panama: a reduced cadence of presidential press briefings that raises questions about communication with the public; an aborted civic project that lacked technical approvals; active legislative debate on energy policy; and a politically charged selection process for a key public oversight post. Observers may watch whether the Assembly’s handling of bills and appointments affects public trust or drives further political friction.