Open Records Laws › Panama

Panama

Ley No. 6 de 22 de enero de 2002

Ley No. 6 de 22 de enero de 2002, Normas para la Transparencia en la Gestión Pública (Norms for Transparency in Public Administration)

Open Records Transparency: 62/100 (good) Transparency Score: 62/100

RTI Rating: 93 (source)

Response Timeline

Initial Response
30 days
Extension
30 days
Residency Required
None

30 calendar days from submission. For complex or extensive requests, officials may extend by an additional 30 calendar days (must notify requester in writing).

How to Submit a Request

Accepted Methods

  • In person — Written request on plain paper to the correspondence office
  • Email — Electronic submission when institution has mechanisms available

Requests may be submitted in writing on plain paper (papel simple) or by email. No justification or motivation required.

Required Elements

  • Requester's name
  • Identification number (cédula)
  • Residential or office address
  • Contact telephone number

Optional Elements

  • Email address

Fees

Article 4: access to public information is free as long as reproduction is not required. Reproduction costs borne by requester; fees must include only actual costs.

Exemptions

  • Personnel Files
    Information in individual records or personnel/human resources files
  • Personal Data
    Medical/psychological data, intimate life, family affairs, sexual orientation, criminal history, correspondence, communications, minors
  • Bank Secrecy
    Bank account records, money laundering investigation reports
  • Judicial Files
    Judicial, arbitral, and Public Ministry files governed by respective laws
  • Restricted Access Information
    Information limited to officials who need to know; classified for 10 years, extendable to 20 years max; includes national security and public order

Article 13: confidential information cannot be disclosed under any circumstance. Article 14: restricted access information withheld for 10 years, extendable to 20 years max. Restrictions terminate automatically by passage of time.

Appeal Process

1

Administrative Recourse to ANTAI

If 30 days elapsed without response, appeal to ANTAI.

2

Reconsideration Appeal

ANTAI decisions may be challenged through recurso de reconsideración.

3

Judicial Review

Entities can challenge ANTAI decisions before the Supreme Court.

4

Habeas Data Constitutional Action

If 30 days elapsed without response. Defendant authority has 2 hours from notification to submit report. Follows Amparo de Garantías Constitucionales.

Multi-tier: ANTAI administrative appeals → reconsideration → judicial review. Habeas Data constitutional action also available. No internal appeal to originating authority (identified as weakness by Centre for Law and Democracy).

Sources & References