TO RUN for political office in Panama is seen by many to be synonymous with being corrupt says a prominent Panama lawyer as the absence of certainty of punishment is causing increasing public concern.

Many politicians of the previous administration, including the ex-president Ricardo Martinelli, are facing criminal charges, and sitting deputies are also under investigation for alleged misuse of public money during the 2014 election campaign.

Only last weekend, the former Minister of Social Development (Mides), Guillermo Ferrufino, already facing money laundering charges was in the news again when he was detained after being found driving without a license and under the influence of alcohol in the province of Chiriquí.

Ferrufino participated in the traditional parade in the district of David, where spectators called out “thieves, thieves” to him and other politicians who were involved in alleged acts of corruption.

lawyer Hermel Rodriguez said that many politicians accumulated fortunes affecting the country with their actions, reports TVN News.

"People are in the awakening phase because corruption impacts the country with bad education,

health, and food, "said the Panamanian jurist.

Rodriguez feels that there is no trust in justice, leading to the fact that " scoundrels invest in the country."

He added that politics is so discredited that aspiring to an elected political position is synonymous with you also being corrupt, so it is time for justice to act.