In an era of “change” nepotism is alive and well in theNational Assembly where wives, sons, nephews, and even brothers of deputies are part of the template says La Prensa.

The ruling coalition parties Democratic Change and Panameñista-now in power, promised radical changes to get rid of the battered image of the Legislative Branch.

But reports of the Comptroller, the Ombudsman and the archives of the National Assembly show that at least 13 of the 71 MPs have family in different departments of the National Assembly, the Executive Body and the foreign service.

The paper names Carlos Afu, Aris De Icaza, Dalia Bernal, Rogelio Paredes, Benicio Robinson, Hector Aparicio, Francisco Rogelio Baruch  as some who have family members working in their offices or other government  departments.