Movin refuses to accept its roots and goes on the offensive

Publicado 2016/05/24 09:45:00

REDACCIÓN/@PANAMAAMERICA

The Movement for Independents of Panama renewed its attacks on media and its support for its own financial backers. Movin leaders applaud President Varela’s transparency, in a move seen to support the government

The self-appointed Movement for Independents of Panama has renewed its attack on non-aligned media following revelations published in Panama America, and defending its supposed independence. In a terse statement, Movin accused Panama America of "insinuations and lies" in reference to publications highlighting how many of the movement's leaders have been given cushy government jobs in the past two years.

Far from being independent, this organization openly supported President Juan Carlos Varela during his election campaign. Movin also fails to explain why and how a number of its own leaders with strong for association with the Motta family ended up in government positions seen as pivotal for the interests of the Mottas.

Movin was founded by Mirei Endara de Heras (currently environment minister), Temi De Obaldía (VP at Panama’s main TV network, TVN), Alfredo Motta, Augusto Arosemena (a partner of Motta), Freddy Humbert (lawyer at Banco General), Annette Planells (currently president of Movin), and Ana Perez, among others. The organization counts with 12 executive directors, and some 200 affiliates.

Last year, in one of the many examples of this group's meddling in state affairs, Movin was criticized for attempting to influence the nomination of two Supreme Court justices. Through a grandly named State Pact for Justice, the movement put forward names of candidates that had not even publicly entered the fray, in order to fill positions ranging from the Supreme Court, The Audit Tribunal, the General Comptroller, as well as overseas embassies.

Jose Alvarez, President of the National Council of lawyers, was amongst those who denounced "the inappropriate involvement of Movin in the selection of supreme court judges, without any accountability and without knowledge of the real motives behind this move".

In relation to this incident, National Front for the Defence of Sovereignty (Frenadeso), also publicly declared that "Movin is Motta, and Motta is Movin, it’s as simple as that". In spite of the fact that Stanley Motta was President Varela's principal campaign donor, and in spite of multiple multi-million dollar contracts awarded to his group of companies by the current government since Varela’s election, Movin ludicrously insists that Panama America "is conducting a smear campaign not worthy of proper journalism".

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Mr. Motta's own nephew, Alfredo Motta, who has recently resigned his position on the board of Movin, insists that "President Varela has been a utterly transparent", noting how Movin is doing good work in trying to bring the country back to its basic moral principles.

President Juan Carlos Varela himself has admitted to holding private meetings with his principal campaign donor, Stanley Motta. Both were accompanied by Alfredo Motta, of Movin, during a bucolic get together on the Motta’s farm in Remedios, Chiriqui Province. Such meetings have often occurred in conjunction with award of massive state projects.

Movin’s involvement in the administration of justice has been denounced by former President Ricardo Martinelli: he claims that this group of businessmen, in cohorts with Movin, is attempting to influence the course of justice in Panama. Atty. general Kenia Porcell admitted in a television interview that members of Movin regularly visited the public ministry offices to review judicial cases.

One of the highly criticized appointments has been that of Guido Rodriguez, who currently serves in the Audit Tribunal, and who was an active member of Movin during the 2014 election campaign. One of Mr. Rodríguez’ current asks has been to confiscate the assets of previous government officials.

Mr. Rodriguez also acted as deputy Commissioner of State under president Torrijos, when the commissioner of state was Juan Antonio Tejada, currently a member of Movin.

Another Anti-Corruption fighter who has been cleverly incorporated into the government structure is none less than Angélica Maytín, formerly president of the local chapter of Transparency International, and currently the government’s own Anti-Corruption tsar. Also associated with Transparency International, Ithiel Roberto Eisenmann, a founder of the local chapter, is now a close collaborator of President Varela.

Not surprisingly, all these appointments have received the warm support of the president’s own brother and national assembly member, José “Popi” Varela. He happily saluted the elevation of Ms.

Maytin to her new government job in a tweet: “Excellent appointments of Ms. Maytin to theTransparency Authority, and of Mr. Rodríguez to the Audit Tribunal. Panama wins”, he waxed lyrically.

Other highly questionable appointments include that of Federico Humbert as comptroller general; Joseph Fidanque III as general administrator of the international Airport at Tocumen; and, last but not least, that of Fernando Berguido as Panama’s own ambassador to Rome. All have strong links with the Motta family.