PRESIDENT Juan Carlos Varela said Tuesday, November 25 that his predecessor, Ricardo Martinelli, had to know about the irregularities in the National Aid Program (PAN).

Varela said that when one works in the Ministry of the Presidency, the PAN is the first program that is discussed.
Martinelli and his private secretary, Adolfo De Obarrio, have both denied having any knowledge of any irregularities in the program.
Their denials were due to the testimony of an anonymous witness who has testified that De Obarrio arranged bribes that were paid by companies who received contracts from the PAN program.
At the same time, Varela announced that he will present a proposal that regulate the use of PAN funds at the next Cabinet Council meeting Dec. 2, reports La Prensa.
He said the proposal will limit spending in the program to prevent the abuses that took place in the previous administration.