A secret cosy nook revealed

PANAMA. A cosy bedroom retreat has been discovered hidden away behind a door-size mirror in the parliament building.

The suite, which is fully furnished with a black-sheeted bed, red cushions, TV, DVD, ornaments, carpet and full bathroom leads out of the offices that used to belong to former legislator and ex-president of the National Assemby, Pedro Miguel Gonzalez.

The office then passed to fellow PRD-member, legislator Yassir Purcait, until he was forced to move last week due to administrative shuffles in the Assembly.

The existence of the suite was revealed to the Anti-corruption Secretariat by legislators Marilyn Vallarino, Sergio Galvez and Jose Muñoz who are calling for an investigation to find out who approved the use of State money for its construction.

They claim that the plans to build the annex in which the suite was discovered were approved under the administration of Gonzalez and that the construction was carried out by Construcciounes Y Remodelaciones EURO, SA. The exact cost of the construction is not yet known.

Anti-corruption czar, Fernando Nuñez Fabrega, said he would investigate for administrative wrong-doing and would inform the Public Ministry of the suite’s existence.

Gonzalez said that the bedroom was simply a secure place to rest while he was following long debates in the Assembly. He said that everything in the room belonged to the state.

“No-one either inside or out of Parliament can show that this room was used for any indecent act,” he said.