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# Assembly Sends $35.112 Billion Budget to Mulino
- URL: https://balboa.news/assembly-sends-35-112-billion-budget-to-mulino/
- Published: 2026-10-31T13:14:22.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-31T13:14:22.000Z
- Author: Balboa News Desk
- Tags: Politics

Panama’s National Assembly approved the $35.112 billion budget for 2027 on October 30, completing its legislative passage and sending the bill to President José Raúl Mulino.

The final vote was 49 in favour and 18 against. Presidential sanction and promulgation remain separate steps before the measure becomes law.

The budget allocates approximately $22.272 billion to operating expenditure and $12.840 billion to investment, representing 63.4% and 36.6% of the total respectively.

According to the Ministry of Economy and Finance, planned allocations include more than $1 billion for roads, bridges and agricultural access routes, $874 million for Metro de Panamá and approximately $456 million for drinking-water plants and distribution networks.

These are budget allocations, rather than confirmation that individual projects have been contracted or completed.

Economy and Finance Minister Felipe Chapman defended the spending plan and said the government is targeting a fiscal deficit of 2.9% of gross domestic product in 2027\. That figure is a budget objective, not an achieved result.

The bill’s passage followed criticism of both spending priorities and an amendment expanding exceptions to the public procurement law.

The disputed Article 370 would allow additional public institutions to purchase certain technical services, spare parts and equipment outside the ordinary procurement framework under specified urgency or public-interest conditions, for transactions around the $1 million threshold.

Vamos lawmakers opposed the change, arguing that it weakens transparency. Supporters defended the budget’s infrastructure commitments and its ability to address public needs.

The Assembly’s approval concludes the three-debate process for Bill 644\. The executive must now decide whether to sign it or exercise its constitutional objection powers.  
  
**Sources:** MEF, Prensa