The National Authority for Transparency and Access to Information, known as Antai, has sanctioned eight public officials for ethics code violations. These disciplinary actions announced on Monday follow a surge in administrative complaints filed during 2025. The agency confirmed it has received more than seven hundred corruption allegations this year alone.
These sanctions target employees across multiple government institutions including the Agricultural Development Bank and the National Decentralization Authority. Investigators documented cases of nepotism and unauthorized outside employment. Agency representatives described their review process as exhaustive and firmly grounded in ethical principles governing public service.
“Transparency is not just a principle. It is the foundation that supports the trust of an entire country,” the entity stated. [Translated from Spanish]
The sanctions publication complies with Article 29 of Law 33 from 2013. This regulation mandates public disclosure of all administrative penalties imposed on government workers. The National Authority for Transparency and Access to Information (Panama) maintains this transparency is crucial for restoring public confidence.
Detailed Case Examinations Reveal Systemic Issues
One substantiated case involved an official at the Agricultural Development Bank. Investigators confirmed this employee maintained a familial relationship with the institution’s general manager. Antai recommended immediate dismissal after gathering conclusive evidence.
Another BDA official faced investigation for alleged nepotism. Records showed the staff member received appointment during the former general manager’s administration. That manager was a direct relative. Authorities imposed appropriate sanctions once they verified these facts.
A separate complaint targeted two officials at the National Decentralization Authority. Their investigation determined a regional director worked alongside a first-degree blood relative. Although the relative no longer worked within the system, Antai sanctioned the director for responsibility in the matter. This case reflects the agency’s broader effort to enforce accountability standards across all levels of public administration.
At the General Directorate of Revenue, investigators examined a different type of violation. An employee faced allegations of conducting private litigation during official work hours. The agency confirmed the official performed private judicial procedures without proper authorization. This finding resulted in prescribed sanctions being applied.
Four University of Panama collaborators also underwent scrutiny for potential nepotism. Investigators completed their procedures and confirmed the allegations’ validity. All four received sanctions according to current regulations. These cases demonstrate the wide net cast by the autoridad nacional in its ethics enforcement.
Broader Implications for Government Accountability
These sanctions arrive amid increasing public attention on government conduct. The high volume of complaints suggests either worsening practices or growing citizen willingness to report misconduct. Perhaps both factors are contributing to the rising numbers.
Antai’s aggressive enforcement aligns with similar recent actions across Panamanian institutions. The gerente general at Tocumen International Airport recently confirmed staff involvement in drug trafficking operations. These parallel investigations indicate a coordinated push toward institutional accountability.
Public trust in government institutions remains fragile throughout Latin America. Panama’s transparency agency appears determined to rebuild that confidence through consistent enforcement. Their method involves publicizing specific cases to demonstrate that violations carry real consequences.
The agency continues encouraging citizens to report suspected ethics breaches. Their published statement emphasized that transparency serves as the bedrock of public trust. Without it, the entire structure of governance risks instability. These eight sanctions represent just the latest effort to reinforce that foundation.