Panama City Mayor Mayer Mizrachi has confirmed he employs 16 advisors at a total annual cost of $705,000. The disclosure came in response to a formal information request from citizen Freddy Pittí. Five advisors work directly in the mayor’s senior office while 11 others serve across various departments of the Municipality of Panama. Their monthly salaries range from $2,000 to $6,000. The revelation has sparked fresh debate about municipal spending and administrative priorities in the capital.
Comparing Advisor Numbers Across Administrations
Mayor Mizrachi defended the current staffing levels in his written response to Pittí. He argued that his administration has hired fewer professional advisors than previous city governments.
‘It is important to highlight that the current administration has made the fewest number of professional hires in advisory positions compared to previous administrations’ [Translated from Spanish]
The numbers support his claim. Under former Mayor José Luis Fábrega (2019-2024), the municipality employed 22 advisors. That administration spent roughly $68,000 per month on their salaries. The current 16 advisors represent a 27 percent reduction in headcount. Pittí also pressed the mayor on the legal basis for maintaining the advisory team. Mizrachi pointed to the Constitution of Panama article 243, specifically numeral 3. That provision grants the mayor discretionary authority to appoint and remove municipal employees.
Who Earns What on the Advisory Team
The highest-paid advisors include Alfonso Enrique Ardines Ernest and James Aparicio. Each earns $6,000 per month. Chirag Suresh Mirani Mohinani receives $5,000 monthly. Four advisors earn $4,000 per month: Armando Javier Solís Ardito, Cristina Mercedes Smith Enríquez, Marcos Yenquiskan Peñaranda Gaitán, and Rosario Jesús Espinosa Alvarado. Of the 16 total advisors, 14 hold permanent appointments. Two work under professional services contracts. The salary structure reflects a range of experience levels and responsibilities across different municipal departments.
Revenue and Budget Challenges
The mayor’s response also included updated revenue figures. During the first quarter of 2026, from January through March, the municipality collected $61.8 million. That number provides context for the advisory spending debate. But revenue collection tells only part of the story. Mizrachi also addressed a stalled urban renewal project on Calle 50. The project was initially estimated at $8 million and ready for bidding. It has been suspended due to budget shortfalls. The financing was supposed to come from IBI funds, which are derived from Property Tax Panama collections. The Ministry of Economy and Finance transfers these funds to all 81 municipalities across the country. But the National Decentralization Authority informed the mayor that the transfer amounts would face significant cuts. So the administration pulled the plug on a project that was essentially ready to launch. The decision highlights ongoing tension between municipal ambitions and fiscal realities.
What Comes Next for City Spending
The advisory payroll question touches broader issues of governance and transparency. Panama City residents are watching how their tax dollars flow. The Calle 50 project suspension shows how revenue shortfalls can derail infrastructure plans. Mayor Mizrachi and his team face pressure to balance operational costs with visible public works. The 16 advisors represent a fraction of the city’s overall workforce. But in an environment of budget constraints, every position faces scrutiny. The Mayor Mayer Mizrachi administration has positioned itself as more fiscally conservative than its predecessor. The numbers on advisory staffing support that narrative. Yet the Calle 50 suspension shows that cutting costs doesn’t automatically free up money for capital projects. City officials must now explain how they will fund infrastructure improvements if property tax transfers keep shrinking. The advisory team will likely play a role in developing those solutions. For now, the debate continues about whether 16 advisors represents efficiency or excess.