Torrijos has his eyes on Parlacen

During a television interview on RPC, Torrijos said that he will form part of the body of Central American legislators, that has its headquarters in Guatemala.

For many, the Parlacen has become the refuge of former presidents looking for the parliamentary immunity, after finishing their terms, an immunity frequently linked to impunity.

Magaly Castillo, of the Citizen Alliance Pro Justice, said that the privileges these legislators have should be eliminated and her organization has requested so on previous occasions.

The lawyer, and mayoral candidate Miguel Antonio Bernal said that now it is time to investigate Torrijos about the series of scandals that have plagued his presidency, before his period ends, so it would not turn into a repeated story like that of the former president of Nicaragua, Arnoldo Alemán, who was accused of corruption.

Bernal pointed out that Torrijos made an affidavit of his properties before the notary Boris Barrios (who is currently electoral prosecutor) before he took power.

The president should do the same after his administration finishes, because nobody knows what he has at the end of his government.

The political analyst, Edwin Cabrera said that the rights that Torrijos will have as a former president must be recognized, but his stay in Parlacen will not be of too much use for him. “This is an organization that has become the refuge of other former heads of state, like Ernesto Pérez Balladares and Mireya Moscoso.”

However, the commentator Renato Pereira thinks that Torrijos joining the Parlacen is a positive step for the Central American integration. “Former presidents enrich the debate due to their experience as administrators.”

Pereira added that a former head of state can refuse to join this organization if he wishes and that does not constitute a flaw of character.

The Central American Parliament was created in 1991 aiming to unify criteria with regards to the legislation of the member countries and create an organization similar to the European Parliament.