Frank De Lima accuses Attorney Tania Sterling persecution

After a week of being released, former Minister of Economy and Finance Frank De Lima (MEF), who was detained for nine months, spoke on television.

According to the former official, his arrest was political, without any foundation.

He said the investigation against him came after a statement by Deputy Jose Luis panameñista "Popi" Varela on grain purchase through the PAN.

De Lima explained that the first anti-corruption prosecutor, Tania Sterling, wants to blame the transaction in the amount of 4.5 million for a fractional grain purchases.

The former public servant said fractional purchases for approval of the contract were never made, but was a transfer of items within the legal framework.

"The division called division of matter is the time when you hire, not the time when you make transfers of items ... you can hardly blame the division of matter to a company not hired," De Lima said.

He also said it was Rafael Guardia, former director of the PAN, who approved the contract of 4.5 million for the acquisition of the company grains Hialing Corporation S.A., not the MEF.

Another of the irregularities mentioned by this source is that it never received a call from former President Ricardo Martinelli, indicating there was to favor a company for the project of grain.

"I was unaware that there was a negotiated the purchase of grains, had no idea," he said.

In the interview, De Lima denied that former Secretary of Martinelli Adolfo De Obarrio give him instruction to favor contracts Equis company through the PAN.

"Usually, if I called 'Chichi' De Obarrio, was to pass the president ... it did not receive an order ever."

Finally, he said that the prosecution charges him up without there being a document of the Comptroller vouch that order.

Interestingly, in the case of Minister Mario Etchelecu, the PAN and the Miviot, the Attorney requested a report to investigate.

In the interview, De Lima denied that former Secretary of Martinelli Adolfo De Obarrio give him instruction to favor contracts Equis company through the PAN.

Las cifras

Sin pruebas

De Lima explicó que para detenerlo, la fiscal Tania Sterling debía contar con un informe de Contraloría que fuera prueba de que había cometido peculado, pero el documento nunca existió.

Extraño

Sin embargo, ahora que se acusa al actual ministro de Vivienda y Ordenamiento Territorial, Mario Etchelecu, por presuntas irregularidades en el programa Techos de Esperanza, la procuradora Kenia Porcell solicitó a Contraloría que realizara un informe para poder iniciar una investigación.