Blandon Challenged Martinelli To Drop Their Respective Legal Immunity and Protections

The National Assembly Deputy from the Panameñista political party Jose Isabel Blandon publicly challenged President Ricardo Martinelli to divest himself of the legal protections he enjoys as President, and he would strip himself of the immunity he enjoys as a Deputy, in order to go to court.

Blandon's statements come after a message President Martinelli wrote via his Twitter account, which mentioned the Deputy; "Unjust and false attack on Minister De Lima for having mentioned Pronto Cash Blandon the word Pronto Cash money laundering."

Immediately, the deputy (Blandon) responded in the same way (via his Twitter account); "You just accused me of something you know is false and yet, you undertook to publish this hoax in your diary. You should show your face."

In another message, Blandon wrote; "If you strip yourself of your protections as president, I will strip myself of mine as a Deputy, and lets go to the courts. I dare you."

Later Blandon sent via Twitter; "To be clear, I have no fear of @rmartinelli or his minions. He wants the Fifth Chamber precisely to intimidate his opponents." (TVN)

Editor's Comment: There was one earlier Tweet sent by President Ricardo Martinelli related to this same subject, sent at 7:38 am on Thursday 14 June 2012, which said "Insto a los medios periodisticos y radiales que se investigue y divulgue en el sistema judicial como va el caso de lavado de Pronto Cash" (I insist to the print and radio news outlets they should investigate and divulge how the money laundering case against Pronto Cash is going in the judicial system).