Building of the Attorney General of the Administration

Photograph of the building that houses the Attorney General of the Administration in Panama City, Panama. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.

This structure has a rich history.  It dates back to the Golden Age of president Dr. Belisario Porras.  Initially it was the headquarters of the former Palace of Fine Arts inaugurated on February 6, 1916 for the National Fair of Panama under the leadership of Dr. Belisario Porras, whose vision and determination made possible the completion of this magnificent building project.

The Palace of Fine Arts, was part of a complex built on a rural farm called “El Hatillo”, formerly owned by the Hurtado family to celebrate Panama’s National Exposition, commemorating the 400th Anniversary of the Discovery of the South Sea, by Vasco Núñez de Balboa in 1513.

The Office of the Attorney General of the Administration has its origins in 1943 when the then National Assembly issued Law No. 135 of April 30, 1943 to create the Administrative Court that the Constitution of Panama  had institutionalized in 1941.

The Office of  the Attorney General of the Administration has nationwide jurisdiction like the Supreme Court and the Attorney General’s Office, which heads the Public Ministry, and has its own administrative and financial organization.

By the nature of its  powers, this office enjoys full functional independence. In addition, it can perform the duties of the Attorney General in his absence.  As such, the Attorney General of the Administration has the same status, privileges and rights as  the justices of the Supreme Court, the Attorney General and Ministers of State.

It’s possible that this regal building will become home of a national museum to collect historical treasures of the rich history of Panama.  Good Day.