Rivalries erupt in the PRD

PANAMA. Every day the frictions between Juan Carlos Navarro and Martin Torrijos are are clearer, as their quarrels endanger the unity of the biggest party in the country, the Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD).

Navarro, Panama City’s mayor and the PRD vice-president nominee, questioned President Torrijos’ agenda behind a possible constitutional reform again on Wednesday.

In the program “Encontraremos Soluciones” (We will find solutions) hosted by journalist Julio Miller, Navarro called upon the president to clarify once and for all if he has an intention to make a constitutional reform.

“I heard him yesterday, and he did not say yes or no. He should say clearly, with courage, the truth,” said Navarro.

The mayor said that Torrijos’ actions are hurting Balbina Herrera’s presidential campaign, a sentiment he claimed is shared by other longtime PRD members.

Humberto Lopez Tirone, a PRD member, agrees with Navarro, believing that this situation is tarnishing the PRD’s public image.

“Proposing a personal project such as the re-election of President Torrijos Espino’s that is being crafted in secret by the same four scribes, is a crime against Torrijismo,” he said.

On the other hand, Andres Vega “Domplin” stated that if Navarro continues attacking Torrijos, “the opposition will not be necessary to lose the May 3 elections.”

Domplin asked Navarro to define “what the game plan is” with his attacks against Torrijos, the PRD’s secretary general.

Meanwhile, Elias Castillo, first vice-president of the PRD; said that Navarro should focus on the presidential campaign instead of attacking the president.

Castillo called upon both Navarro and Torrijos to resolve their differences in the party meetings. “Ventilating these issues in the media makes it seem like Navarro has a hidden agenda,” he concluded.

The CEN is made up of nine members, including Navarro and Torrijos. Six of the members are remaining silent.

Analysts believe both Navarro and Torrijos are eyeing the PRD presidential nomination for 2014.

But Torrijos would need a constitutional reform to run 5 years after the end of his current mandate as opposed to the 10-year interval imposed by the law.