This article from La Prensa Panamá investigates the high number of advisors employed by Panama's government ministries and the National Assembly. It reveals that while the Assembly receives more public attention due to the number of its advisors, the Executive branch also employs a substantial number, costing taxpayers millions of dollars annually.
The article details the number of advisors in each ministry, highlighting that the Ministries of Government, Presidency, Economy and Finance, Security, and Public Works have the highest numbers. Conversely, ministries such as Agriculture and Women's Affairs have very few advisors.
The significant disparity in advisor numbers across ministries raises concerns about equitable resource allocation and potential political favoritism.
The article highlights the substantial financial burden of these advisors. While the National Assembly has more advisors, the Executive branch pays them higher salaries on average ($3,347 vs $2,835). The annual cost to taxpayers exceeds $9 million for ministerial advisors alone.
The practice of employing a large number of advisors has faced criticism from civil society organizations and former officials, who question the value received for the significant financial investment. Concerns are raised regarding political appointments and a lack of transparency in their selection process. The Comptroller General has announced an audit of advisor payrolls in both the Executive and Legislative branches.