Lourdes Castillo, a member of the board of directors of the Panama Canal authority (ACP), yesterday went on record and publicly complained about the constant interference of the country’s legislative organ in ACP matters.
Ms. Castillo pointed the finger directly and Assembly Member Adolfo "Beby" Valderrama, for allegedly constantly interfere with the ACP for special favors.
She explained that the what is known as the Compatibility Committee at the ACP was urgently convened yesterday at the request of Mr. Valderrama: 'I have no idea about what is this that he [Mr.Valderrama] wants to do, but you can rest assured that the committee will approve his request to do business with the ACP, as they have done in the past. This kind of traffic of influence is tantamount to corruption', she sentenced.
Threats
Ms. Castillo, who is also a businesswoman, revealed that she was threatened and urged not to turn up at the meeting: “Somebody called my office - I cannot tell you whether it was him [Mr. Valderrama or someone else - urging me to steer clear of that committee meeting' she explained, adding that 'the message came from the real power behind the power, and that I would be judicially persecuted if I did not toe the line, and that in fact I was already being investigated by the Security Council as well as by the Financial Analysis Unit (UAF)'.
“I want to take this opportunity to address Mr. Valderrama and let him know that I'm not afraid of him, and neither am I afraid of the power he represents, and that I hold him personally responsible for anything that might happen to me or my family" Ms. Castillo declared.
Ms. Castillo attributed these latest threats to her determination to keep the ACP open to all Panamanians interested in working there on the basis of merit, instead of favoring those candidates backed by the powers that be.
Asked whether she believed that President Juan Carlos Varela was behind this, Ms. Castillo replied that the president is entitled to dismiss her if he so wishes, but that she ' will not put up and shut up regarding what goes on in the ACP' She reminded that the ACP is an independent institution that should remain detached from national politics.
According to sociologist Marcos Gandasegui, the independence of the ACP is somewhat of a myth: 'the degree of independence of the ACP really depends on the government of the day'he explained, pointing out that "it is the government of the day which appoints new members to the board of directors'.
In his defense, Mr. Valderrama announced that he would take legal action against Ms. Castillo. In response, she retorted that 'this would provide an ideal opportunity to let the people know about his meddling with the ACP Board of directors, as well as his constant begging for special favors'
