national

Veto fight looming

President Martín Torrijos has vetoed the bill declaring December 20 as a National Day of Mourning, but his action may be too late to prevent it from being enacted.

The Asamblea Nacional approved the bill in late December and forwarded it to Torrijos for action. Torrijos, however, did not announce his veto until yesterday.

Under the Constitution, a president has 30 working days in which to act on bills approved by the Asamblea Nacional. If he does not act, the president of the Asamblea Nacional can sign the bill, making it a law.

The deadline for action on this particular bill expired on Feb. 18.

The president's office, however, is maintaining that the veto is valid because the 30-day time limit does not begin until the law is stamped, not from the date when it is passed.

The matter may be decided by the government's third branch, the Supreme Court, if the veto is appealed.

The National Day of Mourning, which marks the anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Panama, has been opposed by the country's business community because it would require an additional paid day off for employees. There are currently 10 national holidays.