POLITICS

Pay request brush off

05-27-2009 | STAFF

mpujolstar@laestrella.com.pa

Panama Star PANAMA. The General Comptroller, Carlos Vallarino said that he is against paying the salaries for the months of July and August, for legislators who will be leaving their seats on June 30, because no public servant is allowed to be paid for a job he has not done.

“My position as Comptroller is simple.

“For legal reasons we are against the payment of those salaries.

“ According to the National Constitution, article 327, item 5, establishes clearly that the period for elected public servants finishes on June 30 and not on August 31,” said Vallarino.

The comptroller insisted that he is not going to issue any checks.

Members of the National Assembly asked last Monday for two months salary after their term of office finishes on June 30.

The request of the legislators would cost taxpayers around $2 million.

One observer asked if they also wanted gas allowance.