BRIEFS. politics

Assembly head cleared to act as lawyer

la prensa

Raúl Rodríguez1119364

The chairman of the National Assembly, Raúl Rodríguez, has been cleared to act as an attorney in a civil case being argued before the country's Supreme Court.

While allowed under Panamanian law, Rodríguez's decision to participate in the case has raised ethical questions about whether an impartial decision will be able to be reached with one of the country's most powerful politicians in the courtroom.

Rodríguez is representing Bienes Raíces Farallón, S.A., which is currently involved in a dispute over a parcel of land in Coclé.

Supreme Court President Harley Mitchell ruled corrently that Rodríguez could act as a legal representative despite his election to the leadership of the Assembly.

The case revolves around the fact of whether or not the company was legally allowed to register land that had allegedly been acquired from John Almillátegui.Rodríguez said that there is nothing illegal in his action, as he has a “waiver” granted by the plenary of the Assembly to act as counsel. He also said several other legislators also work as lawyers when the legislative body is not in session.

According to Angélica Maytín Justiniani, of Transparency International, legislators are paid well enough that they should not need outside jobs. Justiniani also said that this case may represent a conflict of interest, since Rodríguez has considerable political power as president of the National Assembly.