PANAMA’S Forth Anti-Corruption Prosecutor has opened four new investigations into alleged irregularities and cost overruns in construction and services paid with funds from the National Assistance Program (PAN) during the government of former president Ricardo Martinelli.

The research undertaken by Prosecutor William Parodi relates to the payment of $12 million for the purchase of school bags; helicopter charters and the payment of $1.7 million in a contract for the collection of hazardous hospital waste.
The Public Ministry (MP) reported that the Comptroller has been called upon to perform audits on the entities involved.
When asked about the investigation into the purchase of backpacks, the former Minister of Education Lucy Molinar said: "Everything was run by the PAN," but admitted that "in the last year but we did pass a budget for a quick purchase of backpacks, and lowered the price. We even bought trucks and coastera [busitos] with what was left," reports La Prensa
The Ministry of Finance has contracted Rogers Forensic Auditors to conduct an external audit at the institution.
According to the Ministry, Roger Harper, will head the audit team, which is "skilled in detecting fraud and corruption."
The research will include payment of $3.8 million for school classrooms, which were supposedly without plans.