What Happened
The National Assembly’s Government Commission rejected a bill that sought to limit the official escort service granted to former presidents of Panama. The proposal, introduced by deputy Jonathan Vega of the Vamos bancada, went to first debate on Wednesday, April 15, but fell short of the votes needed to move forward.
The final tally was four votes in favor and five against, and the initiative was archived in commission after the vote. Vega argued that the measure would reduce public spending on personal security and redirect those resources toward citizen safety.
The Vote in Commission
Voting in favor were Vamos deputies Herminia E. Thompson, Janine Prado, Luis Duke and José Pérez Barboni of the Movimiento Otro Camino. Voting against were Luis Eduardo Camacho, Shirley Castañeda of Realizando Metas, Didiano Pinilla of Cambio Democrático, Raphael Buchanan and Sara Magallón, alternate for Jairo Salazar of the Democratic Revolutionary Party.
Camacho later said he opposed the proposal, though he also said the Institutional Protection Service needs a review of how many agents are assigned and what duties they carry out. His position was that such a review should not lead to weaker protection for former heads of state.
Why the Proposal Was Filed
Vega said the current law has gone more than 28 years without being updated. He argued that keeping escorts assigned for life to ex-presidents represents a public expense that should be reassessed, especially amid complaints about crime and the need for more police presence in commercial and tourist areas.
He also pointed to security concerns in places such as El Chorrillo and the Casco Antiguo, saying those realities show the strain on frontline police resources. In his view, public funds should go first to patrols, training and equipment that strengthen street-level security.
Cost and Political Debate
During the debate, Vega estimated that each escort costs about $48,000 a year. Based on his calculation, six former presidents with two escorts each would amount to 72 officers and roughly $3.4 million annually in public spending.
He said that money could instead support university scholarships, health center equipment or stronger security in high-traffic areas. The deputy framed the bill as a choice between “social investment” and privilege, while also citing examples of former leaders abroad who have reduced or given up official protection.
The rejection leaves the current system in place, under which former presidents continue to receive lifetime escort coverage financed by the state. For now, the proposal to cap that benefit at 10 years will not advance further in the Assembly.