---
title: "Questions grow around Electoral Tribunal nominees and Assembly delays in Panama"
date: 2026-04-15
modified: 2026-04-16
author: ""
url: https://panamadaily.news/panama-electoral-tribunal-politics/
categories:
  - "News"
  - "Politics"
tags:
  - "Electoral Tribunal"
  - "Jaime Barroso"
  - "National Assembly"
  - "Panama politics"
  - "Realizando Metas"
  - "Supreme Court"
---

# Questions grow around Electoral Tribunal nominees and Assembly delays in Panama

## What Happened

Political tensions are rising in Panama as attention turns to the upcoming selection of magistrates for the Electoral Tribunal and to stalled changes in the National Assembly’s internal rules. Jaime Barroso, the fiscal de cuentas, said he believes he already has the votes needed to be appointed as a magistrate of the Electoral Tribunal, adding that he would withdraw his candidacy if he felt he did not.

Barroso made the remark during a hearing before the Commission on Credentials, where deputy Yamirelis Chong asked whether he was the government’s preferred candidate. The exchange has added to the debate over how the next members of the Electoral Tribunal will be chosen and what political influence may shape that process.

## Party Tensions and Candidate Concerns

Realizando Metas has also publicly criticized Attorney General Gómez Rudy, accusing him of preserving what the group describes as a corrupt structure inside the Public Ministry from previous administrations. The party’s posture reflects the broader political friction surrounding justice institutions and appointments tied to state oversight.

The same political group has said it does not want Ian Bailey in the Electoral Tribunal, identifying him as linked to former magistrate Eduardo Valdés and opposition figure Rómulo Roux. The comment appears to reflect internal maneuvering around the tribunal nomination process, which often draws close scrutiny because of its role in overseeing elections and protecting the integrity of the vote.

## Assembly Reforms Still Waiting

Separately, reforms to the National Assembly’s internal rules were approved a week ago in the Commission on Credentials, but the proposal has not yet been placed on the plenary agenda. That delay has fueled questions about whether the legislative leadership will follow through on commitments to update the chamber’s rules before the ordinary session ends.

Assembly President Jorge Herrera and former Assembly President Dana Castañeda had both publicly pledged to advance reforms to the internal regulation. The stalled timetable now raises doubts about whether those promises will translate into action, especially in a legislature where procedural changes can affect political balance and decision-making.

## Professional Credentials Under Scrutiny

Another point of concern involves Jaime Alberto Castillo Martínez, after the Fourth Chamber of the Supreme Court certified that he is not registered as a licensed lawyer in Panama. Castillo presents himself as an adviser to the Ministry of Education, but payroll records list him as “secretary 1” with a monthly salary of $5,000.

The case has drawn attention because practicing a profession without proper authorization is a crime under Panamanian law. It also adds to public debate over hiring practices in state institutions and the importance of verifying credentials for officials who hold advisory or administrative roles.