Never more than now have we needed to believe that the government is working for our interests and that every penny spent from the public treasury is done correctly. There is no doubt that members of this government have been sponsoring irregular hires.

Although investigations into some of these transactions have been launched and certain public officials have resigned, the country is outraged. Panamanians are about to lose all confidence in the Laurentino Cortizo government, not because of managing health issues, but because of the string of questionable purchases and opaque acquisitions that have taken advantage of the pandemic to make their harvest. No subject has been sacred to this clique of influencers. The most important resource a government has is its credibility. Citizens' trust in the legitimacy and good faith of state administrators is essential. The President has to act decisively against corruption, especially against his close circle, or the nation will lose respect for its government. This would be worse than the pandemic – LA PRENSA, Apr,28