BRIEFS: Politics

Party files complaint over missing signs

A complaint has been filed against seven Alcaldía de Panamá officials, including acting Mayor Iván Arrocha, for destroying political signs of opposition candidates.

The complaint, filed by Partido Panameñista legislative candidate Luis Barría, claims that the officials destroyed campaign signs valued at more than $10,000. He filed the complaint before the Tribunal Electoral (TE).

Barría's attorney, Franklin Corro, said that 21 billboards have been removed. The complaint additionally alleges that Arrocha exceeded his duties by preventing the Dirección de Investigación Judicial from investigating a case in which four Alcaldía de Panamá officials were seen taking a billboard.

The officials have defended their actions by stating that the TE had ruled that Partido Panameñista signs had to be removed after the party's primary.

However, Corro countered that the signs were only to be removed, and not destroyed. He added that the Alcaldía de Panamá officials have not been able to produce the signs that were taken down.