WITH OVER a score of candidates bidding for the post of Panama’s comptroller there are divisions down party lines and within party, while former president Ricardo Martinelli seems reluctant to let go of the reins as he instructs sitting deputies on how to vote.

The time is running out to select a replacement for the current Comptroller Gioconda Torres de Bianchini, who for 15 years was auditor of Importadora Ricamar, one of the companies controlled by Martinelli. Her term in office has been plagued with controversy.
The deputies of the National Assembly have been in marathon meetings battling for votes to garner support for the leading candidates: former legislator Bernabé Pérez, the choice of the PRD caucus, and businessman and former ambassador Federico Humbert, backed by the Panameñista party and the Partido Popular.
The National Executive Committee (CEN) of the PRD met Thursday, October 29, at Fina Estampa restaurant, confirmed General Secretary Carlos Pérez Herrera.
At the meeting, Pérez Herrera reiterated that the PRD's candidate is Bernabé Pérez and not Gerardo Solí¬s, who was the party's vice presidential candidate. He announced that PRD deputies who do not support Pérez could be sanctioned.
It was the second meeting of the PRD leadership in 24 hours.
The PRD caucus met Wednesday , but it was attended by only 16 of 25 members. Some deputies are thought to be wavering in their support of Pérez.
"I'm not going to vote for Bernabé Pérez, he is the candidate of the government and not the candidate of the PRD," said PRD Congressman Javier Ortega. Fellow legislator Leandro Avila also said he will not vote for Pérez.
Avila previously stated his intention to replace Torres de Bianchini
Martinelli is certainly not indifferent to the selection process says La Prensa. On Wednesday night he met with the CD caucus in Punta Pacifica. According to political sources, he demanded the deputies not vote for Humbert. But at least five of them would be willing to vote for the former ambassador.
Members of this political group said the Martinelli met earlier in the week with CD deputies that had shown interest in supporting Humbert.
In the PRD, things may vary with the decision by Solís to seek the office.
Deputy Pedro Miguel González believes that Solís, a former Tribunal Electoral judge, is a candidate who could achieve a consensus among the benches of the PRD and the Panameñista parties.
"Even Benicio Robinson said he is a good candidate," González said.