---
title: "National Assembly Confirms Lilibeth Cárdenas as Head of Senniaf in Strong Majority Vote"
date: 2026-03-16
modified: 2026-03-17
author: ""
url: https://panamadaily.news/2026/03/16/lilibeth-cardenas-senniaf-confirmation/
categories:
  - "News"
  - "Politics"
tags:
  - "Asamblea Nacional"
  - "child welfare"
  - "Lilibeth Cárdenas"
  - "Panama government"
  - "Senniaf"
---

# National Assembly Confirms Lilibeth Cárdenas as Head of Senniaf in Strong Majority Vote

## What Happened

The Pleno of Panama’s National Assembly ratified the appointment of Lilibeth Cárdenas Chanis as the new director of the Secretaría Nacional de la Niñez, Adolescencia y Familia (Senniaf) with 44 votes in favor, 0 against and 21 abstentions. The vote formalizes Cárdenas’ leadership of the government agency responsible for policies and programs affecting children, adolescents and families across Panama.

## Background

Senniaf is the National Secretariat that oversees child protection, family welfare and related social programs in Panama. The director of Senniaf is a key public official charged with coordinating policies, managing institutional programs and representing the administration on issues affecting minors and family services. Appointments to lead Senniaf require confirmation by the National Assembly, where a plenary session considers and votes on the nomination.

## Details of the Vote

The Assembly’s plenary vote recorded 44 deputies supporting the ratification, with no votes registered against and 21 deputies abstaining. The abstentions represent a notable portion of the legislature and suggest a degree of caution or reservation among some lawmakers, even as a clear majority backed the appointment.

## What This Means

With the confirmation completed, Cárdenas assumes the formal responsibilities of Senniaf’s directorship. The decision places her at the center of Panama’s efforts to administer child protection programs and family services, in coordination with other government entities and civil society. The assembly’s vote also sets the political context for her tenure: a strong affirmative majority paired with a significant bloc of abstentions that may reflect differing perspectives within the legislature on the agency’s priorities or on the appointment process itself.

## Next Steps

Following ratification, Senniaf’s agenda and immediate priorities will be watched by lawmakers, sector stakeholders and families served by the agency. The Assembly’s formal approval clears the way for Cárdenas to lead implementation of existing programs and to propose initiatives within the remit of the Secretariat.

## Context for Readers

This development is part of the routine process by which Panama’s executive branch appointments to key social agencies are reviewed and confirmed by the legislative branch. Observers interested in child welfare policy and public administration will likely look to Senniaf’s forthcoming actions under its new director to assess the impact of the confirmation.