Bill 144.

Summary.

The bill defines the profession of public administrator and its social role in directing and managing public affairs, both in state institutions and in public-private partnerships. It includes a glossary for applying the law and its regulations, covering, among other concepts, public administration, professional licensing, job grades, performance evaluation, and transparency. It places professional practice within the central government, decentralized entities, public enterprises, financial intermediaries, independent bodies, and provincial and municipal governments. It encompasses planning, budgeting, finance, procurement, human resources, information, institutional development, security, monitoring, and oversight; its functions include directing programs, advising state bodies, conducting research, and designing information systems. For purposes of the bill, it identifies degrees issued by the University of Panama (Universidad de Panamá), the Autonomous University of Chiriquí (Universidad Autónoma de Chiriquí), and other universities recognized by the Ministry of Education (Ministerio de Educación), as well as the circumstances applicable to nationals and naturalized foreigners.

The bill establishes the Technical Board of Public Administrators of Panama (Junta Técnica de Administradores Públicos de Panamá), composed of representatives of the Presidency (Presidencia), the Office of the Attorney General for Administration (Procuraduría de la Administración), the named universities, and the College of Public Administrators of Panama (Colegio de Administradores Públicos de Panamá), together with professionals elected by the latter. Its members would elect, by majority vote, a governing board and alternates for a term of 2 consecutive years. The Technical Board would draw up its internal charter and regulations. Professional practice would require authorization and a professional license: a bachelor’s degree, validation by the University of Panama of foreign degrees, a certificate, and an identification card. Applicants would submit personal details, an authenticated copy of their degree, a copy of their identity card authenticated by the Electoral Tribunal (Tribunal Electoral), and 2 passport-size photographs. The Technical Board of Public Administrators would decide applications, issue or revoke professional licenses for violations of the Uniform Code of Ethics for Public Servants (Código Uniforme de Ética de los Servidores Públicos), and oversee compliance with the law and that code, without prejudice to action by judicial and oversight bodies. The certificate would bear a 10-balboa stamp (B/. 10.00); processing the certificate and identification card would entail fees of 50 balboas (B/. 50.00), allocated to the Technical Board’s funds.

The system of job grades establishes job titles, requirements, merit assessment, promotions, recognition of years of service, and continued employment subject to evaluation, in accordance with the National Constitution (Constitución Nacional). It organizes positions into 4 levels: the first, without managerial or supervisory duties; the second, for heads and deputy heads, requiring a postgraduate qualification and 2 years of experience; the third, for directors and deputy directors, requiring a master’s degree and 4 years of management experience; and the fourth, for executives and administrative researchers, requiring a doctorate, 10 years of experience, and prior service in a management role. Each level has planning, management, or leadership functions suited to the position.

The Technical Board of Public Administrators of Panama would propose the salary scale within 6 months of promulgation. The Executive Branch (Órgano Ejecutivo) would include the corresponding budget allocations as agreed with the Technical Board of Public Administrators of Panama. The bill grants job security to those who hold the required degree and professional license and receive 2 consecutive satisfactory evaluations. It reserves new positions and professional vacancies for licensed graduates, while allowing permanent public servants from other career tracks who already perform those duties to remain in their positions. It provides 6 months to organize the Technical Board and adopt its regulations, 3 months for implementing regulations by the Executive Branch and the relevant ministry, and entry into force on the day after promulgation in the Official Gazette (Gaceta Oficial). Its provisions concern those public entities, higher education institutions, public employment, and public administration professionals.