What Happened
The number of people charged in the Ifarhu economic aid scandal has risen to 39, after a guarantee judge formally charged nine more people with corruption and embezzlement tied to irregularities in the award of economic assistance.
The hearing began on Tuesday and concluded on Wednesday, April 22, before judge Zenia Pérez. Prosecutors from the Anti-Corruption Office had asked for precautionary measures against the newly charged defendants, but the judge declined to impose them, ruling that the prosecution’s case was weak and that procedural risks were not properly supported.
How the Alleged Scheme Worked
The case centers on the granting of economic aid by the Institute for Human Resources Training and Use, known as Ifarhu, during the administration of Bernardo Meneses from 2019 to 2023. Prosecutors argued that the defendants delivered money to Meneses without a valid basis for doing so.
Among the beneficiaries were some who received as much as $120,000 and later could not justify how the funds were used. In several cases, the students also failed to complete the courses or degree programs tied to the aid.
Searches and Oversight at Ifarhu
Last Friday, Anti-Corruption Office officials carried out an on-site inspection at Ifarhu, focusing on the Economic Aid Follow-up Office. That unit is responsible for checking the information students submit to qualify for the institution’s benefits.
During the inspection, prosecutors questioned Ifarhu staff about how economic aid is awarded and what requirements applicants must meet to obtain support for their studies.
Broader Impact of the Case
The case has become one of the most significant corruption investigations linked to education funding in Panama in recent years. Ifarhu is a key institution for students seeking support to pay for studies, and the allegations have raised scrutiny over how public resources were distributed under Meneses’ leadership.
Meneses remains detained and faces charges of embezzlement, money laundering, and unjust enrichment related to his time in office.
Among those charged are 12 students from the Ngäbe-Buglé comarca, who allegedly received $25,000 in aid to complete careers at the Technological University of Panama that cost no more than $400.
With the latest hearing, the number of people formally implicated in the case continues to expand, keeping attention on the handling of economic aid funds and the controls used to oversee them.