Bill 513.

Summary.

The bill regulates escort and personal security services for citizens who have served as President of the Republic of Panama (República de Panamá) after being elected by direct popular vote. It provides that public resources used for those services would be governed by the principles of proportionality, reasonableness, and transparency. After the end of the term for which they were elected, former presidents would receive escort and personal security services for a maximum of ten (10) years, counted from the date they leave office.

People meeting those conditions would also be entitled to the services of a secretary for the two years following their presidential term. That secretary would be a public servant and a member of the staff of the Ministry of the Presidency (Ministerio de la Presidencia). The ministry would set the secretary’s remuneration. Personnel assigned to escort, personal security, or secretarial duties would require prior approval from the former president whom they would serve. The proposed approval requirement therefore applies to each of the forms of personnel support provided for in the bill.

At the end of the specified period, the escort and personal security benefit would cease permanently. A temporary extension would be possible if a verified threat justified it on security grounds. The Ministry of Public Security (Ministerio de Seguridad Pública) would assess those grounds, and the extension would require the approval of the President of the Republic. The bill would apply to every former president of the Republic of Panama, regardless of when that person held office.

Escort services would be limited to four (4) assigned officers for each former president. The competent authorities could progressively reduce that number following an assessment of the level of risk. The escort service could not be used for political, business, or private purposes unrelated to personal security. Misuse would result in immediate suspension of the benefit, without affecting any corresponding legal liability. These conditions address both the number of assigned officers and the purposes for which their services could be used.

The bill would repeal Law 55 of July 19, 1996 (Ley 55 de 19 de julio de 1996), together with all provisions contrary to the proposed law. It provides that the new law would take effect upon promulgation. Its provisions concern the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of the Presidency through the functions assigned to them. They also concern the authorities responsible for assessing risk, former presidents of the Republic of Panama, and public personnel who would provide escort, personal security, and secretarial services.