OFF THE CUFF:  The ugly heads of nepotism

THE NATIONAL Authority for Transparency and Information Access I (Antai) has opened an investigation into published  reports of alleged  nepotism in the Ministries of Economy and Finance (MEF) and Social Development (Mides) .

"Antai has requested a report from the ministers of MEF -Dulcidio the Guardia and Mides -Alcibiades Vasquez”

According to reports released by La Prensa, Flor  Elizabeth Escudero,  A Panamenista  Party activist named by the government as deputy director of Human Resources MEF, the official  has appointed a sister and three nieces.

Specifically, Escudero got her sister] Edith Elena Escudero Urriola appointed as administrator Higher Human Resources, at a salary of $1,000 a month.

In turn, she appointed herv niece Aimee Enith Laguna Urriola at the Directorate of Public Relations of the Ministry, with a salary of $1,440

She also appointed two nieces: Tania Tamara Arboleda, who holds the position of financial analyst in the section Revenue in La Chorrera and earns a salary of $900; and Ailin Yanela Urriola, assistant office manager Investment Programming, with a salary of $1 500

Escudero told La Prensa  that his niece Enith Aimee worked in that office during  the past administration of former President Ricardo Martinelli.

"We recognize the error (...)  they are people who are working, who are earning their livelihood, not botellas  (a job with a salary but no work). She said theat they would be gone in May.

Meanwhile, the Director of Human Resource MEF, Loxandra Zorita Carmen Gonzalez, said the case is being investigated and that the measures prescribed by law as to conclude the investigations will be taken. "If you recall, will be dismissed" he said.

MIDES
The allegation of nepotism in Mides points to Janett Rodríguez de Bravo, regional director in Panama West, for allegedly hiring relatives..

A complainant,  said the family appointees  are: Jorge Marín, system analyst and computational methods with a monthly salary of $1,000; Minerva Gonzalez Castillo, coordinator of Transport, who earns a $1,000 ; and Marlin Gutierrez, who appears as an  administrator in charge with a salary of $1 200

Another alleged case of nepotism in the MEF was reported to La Prensa and refers to the alleged relationship between Aurelius Augustine Mejía, director of Investment Programming; and Marcela Hernández Fernández, attached to the Office of Administrative Management. She earns $1,700 thousand dollars a month and he $5,000.

The head of Human Resources MEF said Hernandez  has worked in the Ministry since January 6, 1992 and is an official administrative career. He ruled that there is a relationship between the two officials, and said the case will be investigated.

Carlos Gasnell, vice president of Transparency International, said that while merit competitions are not activated and there is no real administrative career, nepotism will continue in government.

"The positive is that people are daring to make complaints and institutions that have to investigate, punish and demand measures, are doing their respective jobs" he said.

Last month, the then director of the Institute of Agricultural Marketing Edwin Cárdenas resigned, after admitting appointing five family members.