José Isabel Blandón, Panameñista Representative, considered the decision of Ricardo Martinelli, President of the Republic, to veto the Bill 416 “General Law of Culture” as regrettable.
“The Bill is not solely an initiative of José Blandón”, said the representative and explained that it originated during the previous administration, when INAC’s Director commissioned an international consultancy to write a draft of the Bill.
He added that the project was an initiative of the Culture and Education Commission, and was backed by all its representatives. According to Blandón, the Bill was not widely consulted during three years of Government.
The representative declared to Telemetro Reporta that Martinelli lost a great opportunity to raise over political disputes and back an initiative that is not coming from the political opposition, but from civil society, and that the Assembly as institution assumed as of its own.
In a communiqué released yesterday, 07 June, the Secretary of State stated that given it is unenforceable and inconvenient, the Bill 416 “General Law of Culture” was vetoed by the President of the Republic, Ricardo Martinelli, and taken back to the Chamber of Deputies without being sanctioned, arguing fundamental aspects that gave cause to the Executive’s objection.
According to the Communiqué, “observations were also made in reference to the creation of a National Culture Fund, managed by the Ministry of Culture, that would support with non refundable resources cultural activities that should make part of budgetary plans according to the Political Constitution”.