Former CD deputy candidate Porfirio Ellis, arrested at Tocumen International Airport on Thursday , July 2, while trying to flee the country, has asked prosecutors to release him from custody and allow him to serve his pre-trial detention under house arrest.

 He is being investigated for irregularities in the failed $150 million irrigation project in Tonosí. He allegedly received kickbacks from contractor Hidalgo & Hidalgo (H&H) through businessman Felipe Pipo Virzi, who is currently under house arrest charged with corruption and money laundering.
Virzi identified Ellis as being behind the contractor receiving the bid and told prosecutors that Ellis provided a list drawn up by former president Ricardo Martinelli, listing the people who were to receive kickbacks.
Ellis also requested Anti-corruption Prosecutor Zuleyka Moore to allow him to question Virzi. He has denied any involvement in the scandal, despite the fact that he received a $319,000 check from a company controlled by Virzi reports La Prensa.
His lawyer, José Nelson Brandão, said Ellis returned the funds, and asked for an inspection of bank records to verify this happened. He also promised to provide other evidence to prove his client withdrew from the project.