Damming videotape found

PANAMA. The videotape from the former President of the Republic, Ernesto “Toro” Perez Balladares, appears to be the most damming proof the Public Ministry has in the CEMIS case, in which a number of legislators are alleged to have accepted bribes in return for ratifying a law contract.

Some lawyers feel that the Supreme Court acted outside its powers when it decided to re-open investigations into the corruption case because it needs the approval of the National Assembly, which in the past declared the case null.

However, the lawyer, Carlos Carrillo, said during a news broadcast on TVN that it was the right decision. The video, given by Perez Balladares seven years ago to the Public Ministry, shows the former legislator, Manuel De La Hoz, offers details about the CEMIS negotiations and also involves important figures of the Revolutionary Democratic Party.

De La Hoz will have to say to the Attorney GeneralÁ´s Office if he knew that the meeting about the CEMIS was being recorded.

Meanwhile, the former legislator, Laurentino Cortizo, who was president of the National Assembly Commerce Commission at the time, said that he was not worried about the Public Ministry opening investigations. “I always defended the country’s interest.”

Carlos “Tito” Afu, who was the legislator that brought the corruption case to light, said that he was not afraid and was ready to answer any question about the CEMIS case. This is the worst corruption scandal to have happened in the history of the country.