Previously it was reported that many people were unhappy, and began to protest, about the proposed changes to Panama's Penal Code. These proposed changes seem to mainly benefit those who break the law, by in effect giving stronger immunity from investigation or prosecution for judges and politicians accused of acts of corruption, it proposes to legalise the first act of domestic violence, allows pedophiles to avoid trial by offering to marry their victim.

Other proposed changes, only seem to put harsher punishment on people for acts which are not seen as crimes in many countries around the world, such as doubling prison time for journalists who have totally true articles published, which embarrass the rich and powerful. Certain changes would also allow criminals, such as Manuel Antonio Noriega, to return to Panama, without having to face punishment for the crimes that they committed against Panama. This is effectively due to proposed provisions which state that should someone commit crimes, and then 'disappear' for a prolonged period, they will not be held accountable should they return.

There was further astonishment, as Diego Eleta, Head of the Chamber of Commerce, objected against the criminalisation of "Botellas". "Botellas" are in effect phantom employees, which are placed on the payroll by Politicians, so that the politicians can then collect their payroll at the end of each month. Eleta's objection, basically states that the Chamber of Commerce is Pro-Corruption, which in effect makes the Chamber even less relevant as a voice of the general day to day businessman who just wants to make a living, and who do not want to give away their hard earned money to the government. Why should they, when its just being fraudulently collected by politicians in the form of extra fat pay checks, instead of going into the economy, and being used to help the country move forward!

I am sure that many of you reading this will also disagree with these proposed changes, and if it were your own country would be doing all that you could to try and stop them from being brought into effect.

However, these changes are now going to be talked over and voted on by a committee behind closed doors, effectively putting the decisions into the hands of people who it could greatly benefit if certain changes were or were not made.

There will be further updates to this story, as and when the decisions on which provisions are to be passed are made. If you would like to read the original article, please click here.