Panama: “Previous Controls” on Public Finance Eliminated for Six Institutions · Global Voices
Ariel Moreno

The  government of Panama has eliminated the “previous control,” a control  that is responsible for monitoring how public funds are invested, for six institutions. Radio Primerísima reports:
Las autoridades panameñas dispusieron la eliminación de los  procedimientos de control previo por parte de la Contraloría sobre el  presupuesto de seis instituciones, bajo el argumento de agilizar los  trámites.
Según la Gaceta Oficial, la medida se extiende a los ministerios de   Salud, Obras Públicas y Educación, así como la Caja de Ahorros, los   Bingos Nacionales y el Tribunal Electoral.
Panamanian authorities ordered the removal of “previous control” procedures by the Comptroller on the budget of six institutions on the grounds of speeding up paperwork.
According to the Official Gazette, the measure extends to the ministries of Health, Public Works and Education, as well as to the Savings Bank, the “National Bingo” and the Electoral Tribunal.
The decision to eliminate the “previous control” has caused a stir at  all levels in Panama. $3.42 billion dollars will be at the disposal of these institutions.
Journalist Santiago Cumbrera writes in his blog Periodismo valiente [es] about his outrage at the way President Ricardo Martinelli defends his position to eliminate the “previous control”:
Todavía no salgo del asombro, al escuchar al Presidente  decir que “el control previo es algo irrelevante porque si se tiene  funcionarios que son corruptos van a robar antes o después y que no  podemos prejuzgar antes de que se cometa un delito”. Precisamente, señor  Presidente, ese es el problema porque los corruptos van a existir en  este y en todos los gobiernos. Por ende, mientras más controles existen,  es mucho mejor y más vale prevenir.
The outrage has also filled social networks like Twitter, where many Panamanians show their disagreement with the measure.
Bob Alonso (@BobAlonso), laments that the national celebrations of the month of November have been used as a backdrop for this decision:
Panama celebro su Separacion de la Gran Colombia bajo la sombra de la eliminacion del control previo…
While Pablo San Martin (@prsmv52) reminded his followers about one of the presidential campaign slogans that has not been met.
Ricardo Martinelli pregonó:”Entran limpios y salen millonarios”. ¿Promesa de campaña cumplida vía Contrataciones Directas sin Control Previo?
Publio De Gracia (@PublioDeGracia) agreed with the statements by former Mayor of Panama City Juan Carlos Navarro, and reminded the president that the country can not be handled like a business, one of the main criticisms President Martinelli has faced.
Comparto la opinión de @juancanavarro en cuanto al control previo, presidente el país no es su empresa.
It appears like the decision has been made and there is no turning back. The main concern of Panamanians is that the funds could be misused, as manifested by Omar de León (@omar2482) when he said,
con razón kieren kitar el control previo, van hacer y deshacer con la plata de nosotros