While the consultation period for Bill 508 which seeks to reform the Electoral Code advances, the Front for Democracy is already planning to go to the streets because of this issue. This was announced by the group's leader Mariano Mena, because it appears, according to him, it does not seem that the Deputies who support the current administration are showing any signs of reflecting on the proposed electoral reforms. Mena said that on August 29, the Front For Democracy will march at 4:00 pm from the Plaza Porras to the Assembly.

Meanwhile, Manuel Cohen of the Government Commission said it will be a decision of the board, to take safety measures all those who are working.

Raisa Banfield said "they tell us now they are legislating to favor independent candidates and to give more power to the people, for me as a citizen this is a real fallacy".

The former Attorney General Guiseppe Bonissi, who now wants to be a judge on the Electoral Tribunal, said his friendship with President Ricardo Martinelli and the Democratic Change does not stop him from asking for the proposal to be withdrawn.

So far about 30 speakers have expressed their views on the reforms, and a recess was declared until Tuesday. (TVN)

Editor's Comment: Highly charged, political issue. The PRD wants to keep things the way they are - unfair and slanted in a way that helps their party. The CD wants to implement four reforms which generally move things more towards a "one man, one vote" position. The Panameñista party is split, gutless, leaderless, and sinking. I expect the National Assembly will cram through the reforms (which are generally a good idea) although the PRD will make it as painful for them as possible.

Members of the Broad Front for Democracy (FAD) and the National Front for the Defense of Economic and Social Panama (Frenadeso) protested outside the National Assembly of Deputies. Members of these groups manifest publicly their opposition to the proposed amendments to the current Electoral Code, an initiative by the legislative caucus of the Democratic Change party (CD). They think the amendments to the Electoral Code will only favor the ruling political party in addition to being unwise. The protest was scheduled for three o'clock in the afternoon, when the Government Commission of the National Assembly began the public consultations on Electoral Reform. These reforms to the Electoral Code include specific topics such as: elimination of the "sheet vote," regulation of independent candidates for President and Vice President, term of the election campaign and others. (Critica)

Authorities from Panama's Ministry of Education and leaders of the various teachers unions remain assembled in the Curia Metropolitana, to define the signature of an agreement to set the end of the strike, and the resumption of classes that have remained suspended since last Wednesday. (Telemetro)

Editor's Comment: The strike is pretty much over. It was a half-baked and lukewarm effort in any case. I just hope they don't fold, and allow that Andres Rodriguez guy to come back on board. He's been breaking the law and getting away with it for decades.

Although the Minister of Education, Lucy Molinar, on Saturday stressed that good compromises were reached in the dialog, the teachers involved in the talks said the strike would continue on Monday 13 August. After the meeting, the head of education Lucy Molinar said there were important commitments, such as the allowance for time lost during the strike that began last Wednesday. Following this, the union leader Andres Rodriguez said there would be no classes on Monday because they will hold a general meeting. And, according to Rodriguez, the union members will decide whether or not the strike will end. (Prensa)

Editor's Comment: I really hope Molinar does not fold to the pressure to reinstate Rodriguez.

Fifty journalists protested this Friday, August 10, in rejection of the violent actions that have been committed against their Panamanian colleagues in the last week. The protesters were stationed near the premises of the headquarters of the Union of Journalists of Panama, on the Paseo Gorgas. The protest lasted only five minutes. They harangued against Deputy Carlos Afu Tito, who attacked the journalist José Garibaldi of Medcom during an activity held yesterday, August 9th. And also shouted slogans against Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli.

The union's general secretary, Philemon Medina said this action is a warning to the government and the Panamanian people, for them to take notice of the attacks occurring in Panama against press freedom and journalists. Garibaldi's case reflects what has been happening in Panama in recent months, first mental attacks and now physical, Medina said. He added that such attacks over nothing are done to intimidate journalists who continue to do their work, and to publish any kind of injustice, corruption and acts against the people of Panama. (Prensa)

Riot control officers of the National Police this morning cleared the road to Colon, in the area of Chilibre, closed by residents of Don Bosco who are demanding the permanent distribution of drinking water. On channel 13 In Telemetro Report it could be seen how the riot control officers cleared the roadway using tear gas and pepper spray. During the police operation a group of residents were detained. The residents complained about the use of force to clear the roadway, which they had closed starting at 5:00 am this morning. The residents of the community of Don Bosco also complain about the lack of potable water, and that the tankers being used to distribute water do not meet adequate health requirements. (Prensa)

Editor's Comment: Show me your receipts for paid water bills. In Panama the IDAAN is owed millions of dollars - I forget the official figure but it's a ridiculous amount - because the people who receive water service simply do not pay their bills. It's literally impossible to either maintain or expand a water distribution system if you don't have enough money to do so. There are vast areas where squatters have simply taken over and built houses on land they don't own, and then they come down and complaint that it would be ILLEGAL for the IDAAN to install a potable water distribution network for an illegally constructed neighborhood of squatters. So, the close the streets to complain. Once again, this is yet another example of what happens with the government tries to run something. If the water distribution system was privatized and run for profit as a joint venture with the government - much in the same way as the electrical and telecommunications systems are - then service would improve and the network would expand. In the meantime we continue to fight the same battles that have been fought literally for decades, with no hope of ever making a true, fundamental change for the better.

To demand their rights as teachers, educators from around the country and members of various teachers' unions held a march from the campus of the National Assembly to the Ministry of Education. The teachers will also present a list of demands to the Ministry of Education and try to talk to Minister Lucy Molinar. The also submitted a complaint to the Human Rights Commission. (Telemetro)

Editor's Comment: Once again, piss-poor reporting by a Panamanian news outlet. The obvious questions are - about how many people participated in this protest march. The vast majority of public school teachers in Panama are currently working. They are in the classrooms doing their jobs, not marching down the street to demand their "rights" (whatever that means.) Once again, this is a minority movement, designed to create a headline for political reasons, and not a valid protest or complaint in representation of the majority of public school teachers in Panama. Rabble rousing ankle biters, as usual.

Officials of the Institute of Aqueducts and Sewers (IDAAN) and government officials smoked the peace pipe and signed an agreement ending the work stoppage that began from Monday July 9. Employees of the state agency had engaged in a nationwide strike, because in their march on Saturday July 7 there was no effort by the authorities to solve their problems. The director of the IDAAN Abdiel Cano, Minister for Canal Affairs Romulo Roux, who is also in charge of the Water Authority, and the union's general secretary IDAAN, Rafael Mejia, signed the agreement, in which was agreed among other things, the reinstatement of two dismissed officers and non-retaliation to workers. (Estrella)

Editor's Comment: It seems to me like these IDAAN guys just wanted to make a statement. I really don't think any of them are in serious jeopardy of losing their jobs once the new Water Authority is created in law.

Banging pots and with banners in hand, a group of administrative workers of the Ministry of Health (MoH) yesterday launched a series of protests to demand the government of Ricardo Martinelli comply with their commitment to deliver the promised salary adjustment made two years ago. The health workers are upset because through a circular issued by the Secretary General of the MoH, Felix Bonilla, and signed by the Minister of Economy and Finance, Frank De Lima, they are told that the salary range will be lower than what was established in the 2012 Budget. Meanwhile, Jorge Morales, a leader of the workers, said this decision is not justified, so they expect an answer from the authorities by Wednesday or otherwise they will go on a nationwide strike. With these administrative and fiscal measures $294.8 million dollars was cut from the investment budget, of which $60 million relates to new projects with zero execution and $110.5 million in operating budget. (Mi Diario)

A group of workers of the Institute of Aqueducts and Sewage Systems (Idaan) has started an indefinite strike. The decision, as explained by Rafael Mejia, a leader of the Idaan workers, was taken last Saturday, July 7th, after a march and a meeting they organized. According to Mejia, it's been a year and they still have not reached a consensus with the government authorities who are promoting the creation of a new "Water Authority." Mejia said on the channel 13 Telemetro morning news they went out on strike "because the government wanted to play with the Idaan workers." The leader said they analyzed the Bill creating the new Water Authority and they think it was developed politically. In addition, he blamed the Government forcing the workers to go out on strike. (Prensa)

Editor's Comment: The IDAAN is basically a "broke" institution. This move by the government to create a new "Water Authority" to replace the IDAAN is a sort of half-step towards privatization. It would allow for the outsourcing of some of the tasks that are now being done (poorly) by the IDAAN as a 100% government institution. These striking workers are government employees, and they don't know what their future holds. It seems to me like some hand holding is in order. And of course these days there's a political element to everything, so (as usual) it's quite possible that these striking workers don't actually represent the wants, desires, and concerns of the majority of their coworkers. They might be in the minority, and causing problems just for political reasons - like what happens with the CSS workers, the public school teachers, and other factions of government employees. I don't know if that's the case in this instance, but it happens frequently.

The workers of the Institute of Aqueducts and Sewers (IDAAN) decreed a national strike this morning, Saturday July 7. This was announced by Rafael Mejia, the secretary general of the Association of Employees of the institution, after a general meeting held in the Cathedral Square, then a march to the presidency. These people say that this strike will begin on Monday, July 9, because the Executive Branch has not complied with the agreements established in the last strike, and because they do not have answers to requests for better working conditions. According to Mejia, some workers will remain at their posts because they are aware that the law says they cannot suspend water service. Earlier, they marched from the Plaza Porras to the Presidency, also to reject the bill that creates the new Water Authority. Although they met with officials of the Presidency of the Republic, they complained they were only received, but were given no response to their requests. They said it was a lack of respect that they were not received by official decision makers at the Presidency of the Republic. (TVN)

Workers of the Institute of Aqueducts and Sewers (IDAAN) protested in front of the institution on via Brazil, against the law that will create the new Water Authority. Rafael Mejia, a spokesman for the IDAAN workers, said they organized this protest after two months of demonstrating, and they will prepare for a march on Saturday July 7. He added "we require the Executive to give clear answers based on the agreements which which they have not complied, and with respect to the law." Mejia said the workers will gather at the Plaza Porras, from 8.00 in the morning, and from there they will march to the presidency. (Estrella)

Workers of the Institute of Aqueducts and Sewers (IDAAN) could go on strike on 9 July 2012. Yesterday, after making a march from Carrasquilla to the IDAAN headquarters on Via Brazil, the workers asked the Government to give them a satisfactory answer on 7 July, when they go to the Presidency, otherwise they will use other methods to create pressure. Rafael Mejia, the Secretary of the IDAAN Employees Association, said the main concern of employees is over the possibility that some workers will be fired when a new entity is created. According to the leader, the project has items that allow privatizing some services. The employees of this institution, who yesterday held a rally at the headquarters of the IDAAN, demanded that the director, Abdiel Cano, enable the payment of the salary scale which was agreed in January. Cano has said the increase will be implemented when authorized by the president.

The bill creates a new structure for the IDAAN. It contains 163 articles and 15 chapters, and seeks to modernize and reorganize the water and sanitation sectors.

The IDAAN Is Not Functional - Health Minister Franklin Vergara said yesterday the IDAAN does not have functionality. He said despite their best efforts, the institution has no budget nor qualified personnel to carry management. He said the do not want to privatize the institution, but to create an Institute so that the resources destined for all of the entities involved in providing service and go to just one. (Siglo)

Editor's Comment: Concur. The IDAAN is broke and it needs to be fixed. As usual, the deeply entrenched long-term IDAAN employees are afraid they will be fired once the old IDAAN goes away and whatever is created to replace it arises. And yes, the proposed Bill does allow for the outsourcing of some of the functions that were formerly carried out by the IDAAN, but they (these protesting workers) are doing a poor or inefficient job. The IDAAN is one of the most broke-dick agencies in the entire Panamanian government. These guys should be worried about being fired...

The Minister of the Presidency, Demetrio Papadimitriu, appeared in Los Andes where bus drivers are protesting in the Northern part of the province of Panama, to ask them to reopen the roadway and to make contact with the protesters in order to find a solution to their complaints. The bus drivers came out during the early morning hours Wednesday, to close - using their buses parked end to end - Via Transistmica in front of the Los Andes shopping center and the entrance to San Isidro. They are complaining because they say they are not being given exonerated diesel fuel. One protester said they have been forced to buy the fuel without the subsidy for three days, so today they decided to stop providing service and to close the streets.

In this regard, the Minister acknowledged that by now (according to their strategic plan) there should not be any "Red Devils" on the streets, which is why the fuel subsidies were not included in the budget. But he said before the cameras of TVN News they are looking for mechanisms (to pay for) the subsidy, to keep those who are riding the buses from having to pay more than the 25 cent fare.

On another issue, questioned about the claims of the bus drivers who work the routes in Veranillo that they have not been paid the $25,000 compensation in order to begin the Metro Bus service in this sector - one of the areas that has had all of their documents in order and where they have not been involved in protests or other questionable actions - Minister Papadimitriu explained the process has been delayed due to problems with the feeder routes, as well as the investigations being conducted by the Public Ministry on irregularities with the compensation payments.

The bus drivers in Veranillo are also complaining about a lack of security, and they report they have been victims of theft. They said recently armed criminals entered the patio area and robbed them all at gunpoint.

At the time of this writing, it was learned that despite the presence of the Minister, there were clashes between riot police and the bus drivers. (Estrella)

Students in the seventh, eighth and ninth grades from the National Institute today returned to school after classes were suspended last week because of the riots on the campus of the National Assembly. The decision came after education authorities held a meeting with parents and identified the reasons why the school had been closed. "I don't think the 50 students who protested should have affected the entire school," said Oscar Amador, a parent.

The authorities of the Ministry of Education (MEDUCA) called the parents to come to a meeting again this morning at 7:00 am. It was learned that the students in the tenth, eleventh and twelfth grades will return to classes as of tomorrow.

They Protested: While education officials met with parents inside, students from the FER-29 picketed in front of the school. Dileyka Rodriguez, a leader of the student movement, accused MEDUCA of wanting to silence the voice of the leaders by keeping the school closed. She added that although classes have restarted, if necessary, they will keep protesting.

MEDUCA Issues Statement: Marisin Chanis, the Regional Director of Education, said MEDUCA closed the school "for safety." Because of the marches last Wednesday and Thursday, Chanis said they wanted to avoid a repeat of the protests.

Sociologist and professor Marcos Gandasegui said "the authorities are afraid of the students so they keep the 'Eagles Nest' closed instead of addressing their concerns in order to block the students." (Siglo)

University student Martin Castillo, after spending 16 days on a hunger strike at the University of Panama (UP), has ended his effort. Castillo decided to end his hunger strike because the Disciplinary Academic Council decided to expand the issue and do some reconsideration. It was learned the student lost 25 pounds during these days. The university expelled him from the university for three years, together with five other students after an incident that occurred last May which brought heavy vandalism on the campus of the University of Panama. (Telemetro)

Editor's Comment: The part about how the Disciplinary Academic Council has supposedly changed their stance and will now reconsider his case - that's bullshit. In fact this guy simply generated a few headlines, lost 25 pounds, and accomplished nothing. He's still expelled from the University of Panama for at least the next three years, along with the rest of the students who were thrown out with him. The rules have changed. These idiots who have been playing the role of "perpetual" trouble makers for decades now have a much smaller playing field. This guy just finally realized that being a martyr sounds much more romantic in a novel, or when it's someone else who is dying for a cause. He finally figured out that literally no one (besides his mother, maybe) gives a crap about his "cause." Bottom line - he punked out. Now he can go join SUNTRACS. Hey, what ever happened to that fat dude who supposedly joined this hunger strike effort? He apparently lasted for a day or two and then went for a Big Mac. No big announcement when he quit. Too bad - he was fat enough to have gone for months...

Members of the opposition political parties said they were "happy" after president Ricardo Martinelli announced that Bill 486 will be taken to the National Coalition for Development, and the issue of the Fifth Chamber would be addressed when there is a national consensus. The potential presidential candidate for the Democratic Revolutionary Party, Laurentino Cortizo, described the move as "a triumph of the Panamanian people."

Meanwhile, the leader of the National Council of Organized Workers (CONATO), Mariano Mena, after considering the president's announcement to the Nation as good news, said they would not cancel the march scheduled for tomorrow because the National Coalition does not give "any guarantee that will solve the issues."

Finally, Vice President Juan Carlos Varela said this has been a civic struggle and he urged Martinelli to respect the Panamanian people, as well as the balances and separation of powers, and to not take the country to "startle in shock." He ended by extending a call for calm and peace in the country, since there are still demonstrations outside the National Assembly and the School of Arts and Crafts between Protestants and the National Police. (Panama America)

President Ricardo Martinelli announced on Tuesday, June 19, the suspension of the special sessions in the National Assembly, which were convened last May and were supposed to conclude on 29 June. Martinelli's announcement at a press conference was made after two days of protests in the National Assembly, where even today police officers clashed with opposition deputies. There were also demonstrations and clashes with union members and protesting students in the 5 de Mayo Plaza and on the grounds of the Justo Arosemena Palace. Martinelli said this afternoon he would send to the National Assembly a request to withdraw the controversial bills, which had been sent by the Executive for discussion in special session. Martinelli said these bills would be sent for a broader debate in the National Coalition.

Executive Order: The President's decision was embodied in Executive Order 391, which bears his signature and that was promulgated in the Official Gazette. The document indicates that Executive Decree 383 of June 5, 2012 is left without effect, which extended the extraordinary sessions of the National Assembly, convened by another decree number 335 of May 16, 2012. The first of the special sessions were called from 21 May to 8 June 2012. They were subsequently extended until June 29.

Special sessions were originally convened to discuss projects related to the creation of the Savings Fund of Panama and the Guardian Angel program, in addition, the amendments to the Criminal Code. Subsequently, they included the ratification of the magistrates of the Fifth Chamber of the Supreme Court, and the proposal to sell the government owned shares of the Cable & Wireless, a proposal to update the tax regime applicable to rehabilitate Casco Antiguo, and another creating a special regime for multinational companies operating in Panama.

They also added a project for discussion that would establish a system of incentives for the establishment of generators based on natural gas for the production of electricity for the national grid. In the latter bill, which was approved in the early hours of Thursday 14 June in the second debate, included items related to the sale of state owned shares in energy companies.

"I Make A Call For Peace" - "I call for peace and reflection," said Martinelli during his brief speech from the Palace of the Herons, in the village of San Felipe. The head of state announced that tomorrow - when he had a trip planned to Brazil to attend the Rio Summit +20 - he would be meeting with the Metropolitan Archbishop José Domingo Ulloa and Bishop Jose Luis Lacunza to discuss the situation that has occurred in these days.

Protesters Celebrate: Meanwhile, the public in the stands of the National Assembly, pending the resumption of the debate in the full Legislature, applauded the president's decision. (Prensa)

Editor's Comment: They're learning. I was surprised when Martinelli named the three new judges to the Supreme Court, and I was surprised again when he backed off. It seems to me he's learning that sometimes when he makes a mistake, it's better to adjust sooner, rather than later. And you know what? He can still appoint these three judges on the last ten minutes he's in office and then walk away, flipping the bird over his shoulder, and the appointments would still be legally valid. You can deal with this, or you can deal with that...

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - Yesterday protesters caused chaos in the public observation area of the National Assembly. They arrived to express their displeasure and rejection of Bill 486 which would allow the state to sell the shares owned in the electricity generation companies. The politically motivated protesters invaded the National Assembly by force. They broke down security barriers, and tore down the large sheets of clear plastic that separate the public from floor of the National Assembly and the desks where the Deputies sit, work, and vote. Because of these actions eventually the session yesterday was cancelled.

Once Again, With Greater Security: This morning round two started. The President of the National Assembly asked the National Police to provide security so that they could get their work done. There were all sorts of pushing and shoving. Lawmakers from the opposition parties did everything they could to cause a politically motivated "show" - to the point that a couple of them got faces full of pepper spray. There were running battles with protesters all afternoon.

Presidential Announcement: This afternoon President Ricardo Martinelli announced that both the proposals to sell part of the state owned shares in the electricity generation and telecommunications companies, as well as the appointments of the new judges to fill the three seats on the Fifth Chamber of the National Assembly, would be withdrawn. At this moment in time the National Police is pulling down their security fences and getting ready to leave the area. Opposition politicians are making their declarations of victory. In short, the Executive has decided to pull back all of the controversial proposals. Tempers are calming down, and the situation has been defused.

Copyright 2012 by Don Winner for Panama-Guide.com. Go ahead and use whatever you like as long as you credit the source. Salud.

14.3% of the student population at the University of Panama are working on their second degree, according to a report from this center of higher education. Given this situation and because these students are paying the same tuition as the other students who are working on their first degree, the university authorities are considering the implementation of an increase for those students.

The Rector of the University of Panama, Gustavo Garcia de Paredes, said that whoever wants to study for a second degree should pay an amount greater than those who are working on their first degree. He explained they seek to prevent students who are staying at the university for a longer period than what is required to obtain the title, on the pretext that they are supposedly studying for a second or third university degree.

For his part, Secretary General of the UP, Michelangelo Candanedo said this proposal is based on the regulation of the cost of a second or third degree, and what they might do is increase the credits per subject. He added that in case they have to develop this proposal, the University General Council will need to create a commission to address the issue because it means they will have to modify the university statute.

Debate - Meanwhile, the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs of the UP, Elvis Barnes said this is a discussion that has not yet been raised and has emerged in the heat of the events that have occurred recently at the University, and when it has to be discussed, the CGU would probably establish the parameters within which performance will be discussed. He added this is a discussion in which the students, faculty, and staff would have to participate.

The regulation of UP indicates that a proposal must be approved by the Academic Council, then by the CGU in two sessions with at least two-thirds, which would be 73 votes of the 107 members participating in the council. The voters in the CGU have to perform two votes, at least one month apart, and, finally, wait for publication in the Official Gazette for that to become a standard recognized by the UP.

Time - Another point that might be raised in the UP's proposal is the regulation for those college students who enroll in only one to two courses per semester. The UP report also reveals that nationally within that educational institution, there are 900 students who have been at the university for ten years without graduating. There are 375 students who have been "studying" at the university for 15 years without having obtained a degree. And there are 104 "students" at the university who have been there for 20 years or more without having earned a degree.

In this regard, Candanedo said the mechanism will seek to prevent having students with many years in the UP system without managing to graduate. The figures indicate there are many students who enroll in a few subjects to remain within the university system. Officials hope that these proposals, once discussed and approved for implementation beginning in 2013, so that every student who wants to opt for a second or third degree will have to pay more, and there are no more "eternal students."

Discussion of these issues arise in response to the continuing reports that the majority of the "students" participating in the protests at the University of Panama are the same people who have been at the university for many years. The proposal to charge for credit hour is not new, since in the Technological University of Panama (UTP), in addition to the general enrollment - which is $26.80 -there is a three dollar charge per credit, both those who are working on their first degree and those who aspire to obtain a master's degree. In the case of students opting for a post graduate course at the UTP, for each credit must pay $8 in addition to the general enrollment fee.

On May 25 there were riots in UP, prompting the temporary expulsion of six students involved in the disorder.

Sanctioned, on hunger strike Yesterday, the student leader of the MJP, Carlos Bichett, joined the hunger strike. Bichett said the protest action is for the authorities to pay attention to them and remove the suspension. He is the second student who has opted for this measure, because Martin Castillo declared a hunger strike last week. (Panama America)

Editor's Comment: The game has changed. They are going to kick out the "eternal" trouble makers. Good. It's about time. This has been going on for decades.

The rector of the University of Panama, Gustavo Garcia de Paredes said the disciplinary sanctions that have been taken against six students will remain in place, who were involved in acts of vandalism during a demonstration on 25 May. Garcia de Paredes said they are still in the process of investigating the case of aggression against the cameraman Victor Acosta in which about seven university students participated. He said next week the Academic Council should to receive the final report and apply disciplinary sanctions. The Rector said no violence can be tolerated within the university. Meanwhile, students Martin Castillo and Carlos Bichet remain on hunger strike in protest against the sanctions being applied against them, and they ask for a reconsideration of their cases. Members of different student movements are conducting a protest at the Rectory building to ask for justice for their sanctioned peers. (Critica)

Editor's Comment: First of all, these guys don't know how to act, because none of them have ever faced "sanctions" or any kind of disciplinary actions before. They have not yet figured out the fundamental rules of the game have changed. The Rector is in a showdown with the administration of Ricardo Martinelli, and he's facing an audit. Martinelli is obviously tired of the bullshit from these "students" so - in an act of good faith - Gustavo Garcia de Paredes promptly threw them under the bus and hit the accelerator. But that might have been too little, too late to save him. I also noticed a couple of things in the photo. See the cot this "hunger striker" is laying on? That's a US military issue standard cot, thousands of which were handed out by the US military in Panama during Just Cause and other actions. So, I think it's ironic that this extremely left wing radical young goof ball is sleeping on a US military cot. You're welcome. Secondly, I would put remote cameras on these "hunger strikers" to catch them when they're sneaking a Big Mac at 2:00 am...

A rain that fell yesterday in the province of Bocas del Toro did not prevent the workers from the San Bosco company from conducting a ten-hour closure on the Changuinola River Bridge to demand back wages. Dozens of workers have been protesting for the past eight days and have taken over the offices of the Ministry of Labor and Workforce Development in Changuinola, demanding back payments due from the San Bosco company, owned by the businessman Anel "Bolo" Flores. "We are waiting for the Deputy Minister of Labor, Dario Falcon, who promised to bring a solution on Friday June 8, but he did not comply," said Gredel Ramirez, one of the protesters. Governor Jose Brown went to the site and persuaded the protesters to negotiate.

The businessman Flores told El Siglo that the company San Bosco is in the processes of being liquidated, and later he will meet with the workers to pay what they are due. Rafael Abrego, Secretary of Defense of the Independent Banana Workers Union, said that - between wages and suspensions - more than 100 employees are owed more than $500,000 dollars in total. (Siglo)

Until the current Government desists from executing projects on the Tabasará river, the Indians said they remain on alert and do not rule actions. Indigenous leaders who reject any kind of hydroelectric projects in the Region said the company Genisa is grabbing the land of the people living upstream from the Barro Blanco project. They denounced acts of persecution and abuse. (Telemetro)

At this moment drivers from the different bus routes in the areas of 24 de diciembre, Cabra, Pacora; Cerro Azul, La Mesa, Felipillo, and others are making a protest that involves street closures. Using their buses they have completely blocked the Pan American Highway in front of the shopping center La Doña.  These drivers are protesting over a lack of subsidized diesel fuel for their buses. (Dia a Dia)

Residents of the community of Boca del Drago on Isla Colon (in Bocas del Toro) closed the road that goes to the landfill, complaining of odors and the large number of flies that come out of there. They also complained about the contamination of a creek, and that the Mayor of Bocas del Toro Island, Jose Anderson, has not complied with the payment to the landowner. Natalio Atencio, community spokesman, said the community is concerned because the project does not meet specifications.

Open Air Dump - He said first they were told this landfill would be in a trench and it was not going to affect the inhabitants, but now, because of the way they are throwing away the garbage, it's nothing more than an open dump. Demetrius Brown, the owner of the land, said the City government owes him $4,800 dollars for a two year lease for two hectares of land, they have made four different payment arrangements, but none of them have been fulfilled.

Meanwhile, Mayor Anderson said the payment could not be performed in the first place because Brown did not have his papers in order, since he had a possessory right, and then later he obtained a certification (title) from the National Land Authority, and with these documents they are advancing the procedures through the Comptroller in order to make the corresponding payment. He clarified that the garbage disposal system that exists in the area is a trench, and the debris that can be observed comes from some people who go to the area to rip open the bags in order to take what they can find.

Given the possibility that residents would throw the garbage at the door of City Hall, Anderson said it would be unfortunate that there are people who are considering doing this, because they are damaging the image for tourism. He said there are "political hands" who are trying to stir all of this up in order to take advantage, but it's not the time yet. "Isla Colon is a tourist island and they are playing with something that's very dangerous, because we are planning with the tourism minister, Solomon Shamah, for cruise ship arrivals during the month of October, and international flights directly from South America, to increase tourism" he said. (Mi Diario)

Editor's Comment: Mayor Jose Anderson is PRD, and as such Isla Colon has been pretty much ignored by the current administration. When I was there in April investigating the disappearance of Yvonne Baldelli, there was a press conference held in the City Hall building. In short, the roof is falling in. When it rains you can take a shower, inside. The message is clear - wrong political party = no money for you, Jose... And yeah sure, this issue of the dump has been a problem there for years.

College students will continue today, Monday, with their protests, which have been termed 'passive resistance', opposite the entrance of the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Panama. Charles Bichet, President of the Student Center of the Faculty of Law, said the decisions of the Academic Council are forged in the Palace of the Herons. "High authorities of the institution respond to the concerns of President Ricardo Martinelli," said the student leader. Gustavo Garcia de Paredes, the Rector of the University of Panama, said it is false that the suspension of classes at the university is linked to political issues. "The university remains closed because we are performing a process to determine those who were involved in the events of 25 May 2012," he said.

STUDENT TERRORISM - Bichet said what is happening in the university is "student terrorism" and said Omar Concepción and Martín Castillo were suspended for three years, "and Aarón Bracho, Juan Apolayo, Henry Ferguson and myself were suspended for one semester." "What they seek is to limit our freedom of speech, to silence the voice of the student groups against national issues of concern to the population," said Bichet.

OFFICIALS MEET - The general secretary of the UP, Miguel Angel Candanedo said that today, at 3:00 p. m., the Academic Council will make a decision on the resumption of classes. He added that the eight students who were involved in the beating given to the institution cameraman Victor Acosta, might be receiving sanctions today. Many of the students participating in the protests are members of Sigma Lambda Chapter of Honor and have received awards from the Academic Council itself. (Siglo)

Editor's Comment: Would that be the Sigma Lambda Chapter of eight hooligans ganging up to beat on one lone guy with a camera? The Sigma Lambda Chapter of politically motivated street protests? Awards of Honor for the best chunk of concrete thrown as a police officer? Give me a friggin' break. Preventing these idiots from blocking one of Panama's primary traffic arteries, keeping them from burning down a library, or punishing them for beating up a cameraman is not squashing their freedom of speech.

The suspension of academic activities at the University of Panama remains in affect, based on the decision of the Disciplinary Board of the main house of studies in the country, who will discuss this afternoon the building of a climate to allow for the resumption of classes, informed the Secretary General of the University, Miguel Angel Candanedo. The Secretary General told Panama America they have summoned all academic staff to report to the central campus of the university on Monday, 4 June 2012, for meetings with the respective deans of each faculty at 10:00 am, in order to consult their views and opinions.

The sanctions imposed on the students who attacked a cameraman at the University of Panama will be maintained, although those who were penalized have a right to request the authorities to reconsider those sanctions on Monday afternoon, said the secretary general. These decisions are being made, in the opinion of Candanedo, "because we believe in building a climate that ensures the safety and security on college campuses." (Panama America)

Editor's Comment: Wow. Something fundamentally changed among the leadership of the University of Panama. Something big. They have been tolerating the shenanigans of these extreme left-wing activists posing as "students" for decades. In fact these men are adults who simply sign up for one class and then spend all of their time inciting violence and protests. These are the guys who wear little beanies with red stars on them, the worship Che Guevara, they're funded by Hugo Chavez, and they see themselves as the seed core for inciting a communist revolution in the Republic of Panama - summed up as "left wing whack jobs." I've covered dozens of these "events" over the years, and there's always the same little core of leaders and organizers present. They are not true students, and it's refreshing to see that the leadership of the University of Panama has finally grown a pair of balls and is dealing with these people. During the last confrontations in the end of May 2012 between these perpetuals protesters and the riot police, once they started taking tear gas and pellets they pulled back to the campus and holed up in the library of the school of medicine, and that library was almost burned down. I think these idiots have finally worn out their welcome. Good. It's been a long time coming.

The Rector of the University of Panama (UP), Gustavo Garcia de Paredes, said on Friday, June 1, they have ended the practice of allowing the university's assets to be put at risk by the street demonstrations carried out by students. Garcia de Paredes made his statements to clarify that the full weight of the law will be applied to those students who were involved in the riots on 25 May 2012. Due to these clashes between students and riot control officers of the National Police classes were suspended on 25 May. To date, a group of students has been sanctioned for having caused damages to property belonging to the University of Panama. The rector explained that due process was followed in the application of the sanctions approved against the students. When asked why the students complained that they had not been notified of the suspensions, Garcia de Paredes said yesterday, Thursday, the resolution was approved in the Academic Council and that due process has been followed, otherwise any actions they have taken would fall. (Prensa)

Editor's Comment: Great. This is a major change, and it's been a very long time coming.

The Academic Council of the University of Panama (UP) has designated, on Thursday, the Expanded Committee on Discipline to analyze the three cases that occurred in the entrance of the Faculty of Dentistry. The first case the Commission will analyze, is to identify the college students who assaulted the cameraman Victor Acosta, an official of the Directorate of Information and Public Relations of the institution. In the second, they will study and identify those persons who insulted and hurled insults at the university authorities. Finally the last, for those who illegally entered the house of higher learning. The President of the Academic Council, Gustavo Garcia de Paredes, said the Discipline Committee of the Academic Council will discuss the possibility that the University of Panama will remain closed until it ensures the safety of students, administrators and teachers. (Panama America)

Editor's Comment: The nine students who were expelled from the University and sanctioned for having participated in violent protests blocked an entrance to the university, beat up a cameraman, beat on cars with sticks, and shouted insults at University officials. This is the first time that I can remember that the University has stood up to these thugs and enforced some discipline. Obviously, the protesting "students" (who are really just left wing radicals posing as students) don't like the change. Oh well, they can not like if from home, because as of right now they cannot set foot on University property. In the meantime, the University will remain closed until all of this blows over. I would not be surprised if a couple more students don't get booted for yesterday's actions.

Ngäbe Indians who oppose the Barro Blanco Hydroelectric Project in Tole, Chiriqui, are waiting for the inspectors from the United Nations Organization (UN) as agreed in the Pact of San Felix. All this comes after a hectic week in which ngäbes camped for several days on the premises of this project in Tole. And though the waters have lowered their level (the situation has calmed down), the Indians are taking advantage of the time and have visited different communities to tell their people why they oppose the construction of this hydroelectric project.

Justification - According to Father Eusebio Munoz, experts (surveyors) were supposed to have started working on 18 May, but that day the protests began that lasted more than a week. "For them to attend their safety has to be ensured, and once and for all their work will start as coordinated in the technical committee," he said.

For the environmentalist Carmencita Tedman, there is no wonder regarding the attitude of this organization (UN), because a few months before the protests, recorded in early May, they granted a carbon credit to the Barro Blanco project. "So this body could not be impartial during the negotiations," said Tedman. (Mi Diario)

Editor's Comment: After the protests, it was decided at the negotiation table that experts from the United Nations would come in to make surveys to determine whether or not the Barro Blanco hydro electric project is located within the boundaries of the Ngäbe Bugle comarca (region.) Their participation has already been discussed and agreed upon. As far as this environmentalist questioning their impartiality - that boat has already sailed.