What Happened
A public commentary calls on Panamanians to vote carefully and reject candidates linked to corruption, misuse of public funds, or poor public administration. The text argues that the country’s current electoral framework has been shaped by political and economic interests that have helped preserve impunity and weaken accountability.
It urges voters to support individual candidates rather than party “slates,” and to choose people with a record of honest service in public or private life. The commentary also asks voters to demand clear commitments from candidates on ethics, transparency, and concrete plans for public office.
What the Commentary Proposes
The proposal sets out a voting guide centered on accountability. It says candidates should explain how they would follow legal, regulatory, and ethical standards, present a work program with projects and funding ideas, and show how they would address problems such as health care, education, security, taxes, labor rules, water access, social security, agricultural production, and food prices.
It also calls on candidates to state how they would support oversight by the National Assembly, the courts, the Public Ministry, and the Office of the Comptroller General over the public sector. In the view expressed, that institutional supervision is essential to checking abuse and strengthening the state.
Who It Targets
The commentary rejects voting for candidates with records of irregular, dishonest, or incompetent behavior, including current or former lawmakers, mayors, council members, corregimiento representatives, and other public officials. It also warns against voting for people tied to private business interests if they have serious accusations or convictions related to misconduct.
Several political parties are named as part of the criticism, including PRD, Panameñista, Popular, Alianza, Centro Democrático, Solidaridad, and RM. The text says voters should pay close attention to the performance of representatives from Vamos and Otro Camino.
Why It Matters
The message reflects a broader debate in Panama over public trust, political renewal, and the quality of democratic representation. By focusing on individual merit, ethics, and public accountability, it places pressure on candidates to move beyond campaign slogans and explain what they would actually do in office.
The commentary also argues for ending subsidies, privileges, and other advantages tied to politics. It says electoral publicity should be covered by the media and by political groups themselves, rather than relying on state-backed support. In that sense, the piece is both a voting guide and a critique of how power is exercised in Panama.