Blandon Named In FIS Audit For Diverting Government Funds
The National Assembly Deputy from the Panameñista political party, Jose Isabel Blandon, was included on the list of lawmakers who supposedly used a network to divert millions of dollars from the old Social Investment Fund, using false companies and foundations. An audit report of the FIS, prepared by the firm Lopez Consultants, said Blandon is linked to the diversion of an expenditure that should have reached the hands of the Catholic Church, but did not.
According to the report, Blandon used the Catholic Church as a "promoter" for the projects he requested from the FIS. The firm that prepared the report backed up the assertions with invoices and official FIS purchase orders that totaled at least $40,000 dollars each. Most purchases were allocated to one company, Servicios y Ventas Múltiples, the same company related to fictitious deliveries in cases of the other lawmakers who were also named in the multi million dollar fraud perpetrated against the FIS. The alleged aid promoted through Blandon included food and supplies, which should have been delivered to the church of Santa Ana.
During the external audit of the FIS, the auditing company López Consultores says they have found that the aid was never delivered. As a witness, the firm cited the pastor of the church, Manuel Man, who declared they have "never" received any help from the Assembly or from Deputy Blandon. Man admitted having signed several requests for support aimed at Blandon, because the Deputy himself made the suggestion. Blandon's assistants promised the pastor there would be no problem, and that this was the standard practice of the prior pastor at the church, said Man, according to the external audit report prepared on the FIS.
Amid the FIS scandal of the FIS report in January 2010, Blandon said the aid that had been requested through father Man was not only to that church, but encompassed the entire circuit 8-7. (Panama America)
Editor's Comment: This is why the Panameñista lawmakers are ready to fall on their swords over the "Fifth Chamber" issue in the Supreme Court. If Martinelli can actually get eight of twelve Supreme Court justices, then they can hold trials and investigations into these kinds of corrupt practices being conducted by the members of the National Assembly. Up until now, there has been a sort of "cold war" - in which neither the Supreme Court justices nor the Deputies of the National Assembly can be tried or convicted by anyone. The "Fifth Chamber" would tip the balance of power in favor of the Supreme Court, and they will use that power to put opposition politicians like Blandon in jail, or at least get him kicked out of the National Assembly. Did I forget to mention "guilty, or not"? Hardball politics, Panama style. If Martinelli wants to end these Indian protests, he should just say "screw it" and name this three new judges. It's all about focus, and initiative.
