Mendez ratification in the balance

PANAMA. The ratification of Bosco Ricardo Vallarino as mayor of Panama City is still in doubt only six days from the commencement of the new government.

Everything appears to indicate that the elected deputy mayor, Roxana Mendez will occupy the post after the Electoral Tribunal confirmed that it will give her the appropriate accreditations.

Meanwhile, the lawyer Miguel Antonio Bernal, who also was in the mayoralty race, presented a petition contesting the appointment of Mendez as mayor of the district of Panama.

Bernal said that he presented his petition not because he is against Mendez, but because he is against the decisions of the Electoral Tribunal.

The politician also criticized the scenario proposed by president elect Ricardo Martinelli of rehabilitating Vallarino’s citizens rights through the National Assembly.

According to the lawyer, the National Constitution allows Vallarino to try to recuperate his citizenship, however that it is not the law.

Mendez said that in the event that the Electoral Tribunal changes its mind and decides not give her the credentials, she will ask for the decision to be reconsidered as prescribed by law.

The deputy mayor elect is optimistic that she will receive the ratification of the Electoral Tribunal on July 1.

Bernal insisted that the Mendez appointment should be declared null, because the elect mayor, Vallarino has not been ratified.

On Wednesday June 24, the Electoral Tribunal received a second petition from Mario Augusto Castillo and Antonio Escudero, requesting that Vallarino should not receive his credentials as mayor on the grounds that he was a naturalized US citizen, therefore could not be elected to public office.

Herbert Young, Vallarino’s lawyer said on Tuesday that his client was not going to give copies of his American passport and letter of naturalization to the Civil Registry, because they do not exist.

Currently the Civil Registry is carrying out an investigation into the subject of Vallarino’s double nationality.

Herbert sent a letter to the Electoral Tribunal explaining the situation. No decision has been made yet.