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Panama launches "eCorruption"
By The Boss on Feb 27, 2008 | In Progress | Send feedback »
Winston Spadafora
After digital drivers licenses and social security records, the Panamanian government has set the next step in bringing itself in tune with the 21st century by launching the new innovative eCorruption service.
"In short, the new system enables registered users to pay and accept bribes online", said Supreme Court magistrate Winston Spadafora who headed the implementation task force.
"eCorruption is the safer, easier way to bribe and be bribed online. The service allows anyone to pay in any way they prefer, including through credit cards, bank accounts, buyer credit or account balances, without sharing financial information", Spadafora continued to explain. "It also keeps Panama competitive in the face of globalization, as it enables global corruption by making payments possible across different locations, currencies, and languages."
Taiwan has already shown an interest in the system, sources close to the project revealed. There is no limit to the amount of funds that can be used for bribes.
Instead of running the risk of getting caught by meeting in sleazy bars and running around with suitcases full of cash, eCorruption boasts a relatively anonymous and safe environment while maintaining full transparency and offering equal opportunities to members of the public. A press release said that eCorruption aims to create "the world's first global corrupt democracy": "We saw a "people's market" in which anyone in the world could bribe or be bribed for a fair price".
Touting its "fully transparent bidding process", it continues that "at eCorruption trust, honesty and efficiency are rewarded more than size or status", leading to an "emotionally satisfying corruption experience as human beings".
Angelica Maytin: "enormous
step forward..."
The advantages are obvious. Politicians, judges and even traffic cops no longer need to solicit bribes directly or through intermediaries who often can't be trusted. For example, a judge can put a case online on the eCorruption system and anyone can make a bid on the ruling within a set period of time. The same goes for acquiring building permits, visas, traffic violations, ship safety certifications and to speed up any pending paperwork anywhere in the government. "The possibilities are endless", Spadafora, who has already obtained status of trusted user, stated proudly. "I wish we had done this much earlier".
Angelica Maytin of Transparency International applauded the initiative. "This is an important step forward, especially now that the Canal expansion is on the agenda and millions of dollars will change hands to grease the wheels", she said. "That process is now being facilitated in a way that stimulates transparency and efficiency, and we will closely monitor its further development."
Not happy are the lawyers, the traditional corruption brokers in Panama now being sidelined by the electronic system. "We intend to file our objections with the Supreme Court", said one lawyer, a junior partner of his father's law firm who requested to be named by his initials, ABCJVRJ, only. "This eCorruption platform is clearly unconstitutional and a violation of anti-trust laws", he added. "You can not have one system take over what hundreds of lawyers have been doing for a living since the creation of our nation."
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