Panamanian representatives request $1,000 salary increase

Celestino Vargas, president of the Coordinadora Nacional de Representantes de Corregimiento, has formally requested a $1,000 salary equalization for local representatives in Panama. Vargas argued that salaries have been frozen for several years, noting that the last increase occurred in 2019.

The request follows the elimination of paid leaves and fixed transportation expenses due to rulings from the Supreme Court of Justice and provisions from the Comptroller General of the Republic. These changes have reportedly led to a direct reduction in the income of local authorities.

Roberto Morán, president of the West Panama Council, supported the measure, stating that representatives often use their own funds to address community needs. While some deputies questioned the request, others expressed support for the adjustment.