Key corruption case figure Rolando Rodríguez summoned for testimony
Panamanian journalist Rolando Rodríguez has been summoned by the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office of the Attorney General’s Office (PGN) in connection with a case of corruption in public procurement. This summons is part of an investigation that seeks to clarify the origin of information that, in the last months, has shocked the public opinion without substantial evidence to support it.
Earlier allegations against Rolando Rodriguez
Rodriguez is recognized for spreading contentious information, often accused of misrepresentation or being founded on “fake news” concerning public figures in the nation. Consequently, the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office has demanded the journalist clarify the source of his articles.
The involvement of the “Triple R” group in the probes
Numerous media outlets have noted the presence of a group named “Triple R”, consisting of three people sharing the same name:
- Rolando Rodríguez, journalist from La Prensa.
- Rolando Rodríguez, attorney and ex-secretary general of PGN.
- Rolando López, former head of the National Security Council.
These reports suggest that over the past five years, Rolando López leveraged the National Security Council’s framework to pinpoint targets, distort information, and craft incriminating documents. This data was subsequently passed to Rolando Rodríguez, the lawyer, who funneled it to journalist Rolando Rodríguez. He, in turn, published it under the guise of investigations conducted by La Prensa’s Investigative Unit.
Utilizing publications as groundwork for criminal prosecutions
The release of these investigations acted as “noticia criminis”, warranting the initiation of criminal proceedings by the PGN. The individuals under investigation were questioned and subsequently held in DIJ or Police custody.
According to the same media, the detainees were visited shortly afterwards by deputies such as Adolfo “Beby” Valderrama and José Luis “Popi” Varela, or by lawyers acting as emissaries. During these visits, the detainees were threatened to remain in prison if they did not pay significant sums of money. Those who gave in fired their original lawyers and hired members of a group known as “La Taquilla”, allegedly specialized in obtaining precautionary measures and bail bonds through connections with prosecutors and judges.
Claimed participation of the journalist in extortion
Reports also allege that Rolando Rodríguez, the journalist from La Prensa, received a share of the earnings acquired via these extortion practices. Despite the absence of definitive proof, these claims have had significant media repercussions.