Friday, January 31, 2025.
Resolutions Aren’t Just for January: Why We Need a Monthly Reality Check (And a Little Snake-Like Wisdom)
Ah, New Year’s resolutions. That magical list we create while sipping champagne, convinced that this is the year we’ll suddenly transform into an ultra-productive, salad-eating, gym-loving, emotionally balanced powerhouse.
Fast forward a few weeks, and well… life happens. That salad turned into fries, the gym became a distant memory, and somehow you still have that extra 30 pounds (or was it 40? Who’s counting?).
But guess what? We’re not giving up. Not on our goals, not on our ambitions, and definitely not on the person we’re determined to become. And what better excuse for a goal check-in than the Chinese New Year?
This year, it’s the Year of the Serpent—and if there’s one thing we can learn from our slithery little friend, it’s this: Adapt. Shed what’s not working. Strike when the time is right.
Step 1: Look Back at Your Grand Plans
At the start of the year, I set out to:
🐍 Grow my businesses by 20% (because, you know, money is fun).
🐍 Finish my Executive MBA (so I can officially have an excuse to be a know-it-all).
🐍 Close out lingering favors and promises (because I’d like to stop playing the role of everyone’s unpaid consultant).
🐍 Lose 30 pounds (so my jeans stop gasping for air).
🐍 Tackle my health issues (nothing major, just classic “old-guy crap”).
🐍 Coach my kids better for their future (so they don’t end up on a reality TV show about bad financial decisions).
🐍 Go fishing more often (because work-life balance, right?).
🐍 Advance real estate projects (so I can retire somewhere nice before AI takes over everything).
🐍 Fix finance-related issues (because even PIs have to count their pennies).
🐍 Take better control of my emotions (aka “stop letting idiots ruin my day”).
🐍 Say “yes” less often and love more often (because boundaries are a thing).
🐍 Finalize VA-related matters (bureaucracy: the gift that keeps on giving).
🐍 Stop hoarding and finally have a garage sale (because my storage room looks like a crime scene from “Hoarders: Extreme Edition”).
Whew. That’s a lot. And if you made a similar Superhero Resolution List™, now’s the perfect time to ask:
🤔 Am I actually making progress?
🤔 Did I bite off more than I can chew?
🤔 Do I need to adjust expectations so I don’t spiral into a motivational nosedive?
Step 2: Be a Smart Snake—Adjust, Don’t Abandon
Here’s the deal: Goals shouldn’t be set in stone. If something isn’t working, we don’t throw in the towel—we tweak the approach.
For example:
🔹 Weight loss: Maybe “drop 30 pounds ASAP” is too ambitious (and also, life is cruel, because cookies exist). Instead, let’s aim for 5-10 pounds per month and make it sustainable.
🔹 Business growth: If I’m only at 5% instead of 20%, maybe it’s time to pivot strategies, not expectations.
🔹 Emotional control: Let’s be honest, this isn’t a “check it off the list” kind of goal. It’s a lifelong process. (Also, some people just make it really, really hard…)
🔹 Saying “yes” less often: This one is deceptively hard. But hey, No is a complete sentence.
The key is to adapt like a serpent—shed what isn’t working and move forward.
Step 3: Make the Chinese New Year (and Every Month) Your Check-In Point
Here’s a wild idea: What if we actually reviewed our goals every month instead of just in January? (Gasp!)
Instead of waiting until next year to wonder where the hell time went, we do a mini check-in at the end of every month:
✅ Did I follow through on any of my goals?
✅ Am I still on track, or do I need to course-correct?
✅ Were my original goals even realistic? (or was I just drunk on New Year’s optimism?)
✅ Do I need to add new goals or adjust my approach?
If I could suggest one single resolution for everyone, it would be this: Commit to a monthly review.
Because life moves fast—and if you don’t check in, you’ll blink, and it’ll be October, and you’ll be wondering why your resolutions still look the same as they did in January.
Final Thought: The Snake Knows Best
The Year of the Serpent is about wisdom, adaptation, and knowing when to strike. It’s also about not getting stuck in a rut.
So don’t be that guy (or gal) who abandons their goals just because the first attempt didn’t go as planned. Be like the snake: shed what doesn’t work, move forward, and strike when the time is right.
And for the love of all things good, if you’re still hoarding junk—schedule that garage sale.
🐍🔥 Happy (Chinese) New Year! Now go check in on those resolutions.
TOP NEWS and TIDBITS:
Court Rejects Executive’s Request to Avoid Recognizing Seniority Bonus for Public Officials
After the Executive Branch filed an objection of unconstitutionality against Law No. 726 of 2021, which creates the Negotiable Certificate for the payment of the Seniority Bonus for public servants, the Plenary of the Supreme Court of Justice rejected the objection.
On March 7, 2023, Justice José Ayú Prado acted as the reporting judge on this unconstitutionality objection, admitting the Executive’s legal request. However, he made it clear that the arguments presented lacked precision.
“The Executive Branch, as the holder of the coercive legislation for the unconstitutionality objection, is urged to submit a written document providing the Constitutional Court with the legal grounds supporting the alleged unconstitutionality of the bill, specifically in relation to each article of the Political Constitution that is claimed to be violated. This would allow for a clearer and more concise presentation of the constitutional issue and a more precise discussion of the matter,” stated the ruling issued by Ayú Prado at the time.
The magistrates unanimously ruled that Bill No. 726 of 2021 is not unconstitutional as a whole, contrary to what the administration of former President Laurentino Cortizo sought. This is reflected in Edict No. 123, dated January 29, 2025.
A law is considered unconstitutional when it is deemed contrary to the Constitution, preventing it from becoming a law of the Republic.
On April 27, 2022, the National Assembly approved Bill No. 726 in its third debate, establishing the Negotiable Certificate for the payment of the Seniority Bonus for public servants.
This legal framework was supplemented by Law 241 of October 13, 2021, which amended Law 23 of 2017 and Law 9 of 1994, formally recognizing the payment of the seniority bonus for public servants.
The seniority bonus is recognized as an acquired right, benefiting public servants who have been disengaged from government service, either due to dismissal or disability pension. The payment consists of one week of the last earned salary for each year of continuous service to the State.
Bill to Implement Body Cameras in the Police Approved in First Debate
Bill 90, which establishes the possibility for police officers to use body cameras, similar to practices in the United States, was approved in the first debate on Tuesday, January 28 by the Government, Justice, and Constitutional Affairs Committee of the National Assembly.
The proposal, presented by Moca Representative José Pérez Barboni, aims to promote a more efficient and transparent management of police procedures.
According to Representative Pérez Barboni, the chain of custody was one of the main concerns discussed. However, he noted that necessary adjustments could be made during modifications and regulatory processes.
He also highlighted that the Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences is being considered to oversee the same mechanisms and procedures already in place.
Additionally, discussions are ongoing with the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Police Director regarding the budget needed to implement this system next year.
During the debate, former Supreme Court Justice José Abel Almengo participated and emphasized the importance of the recording system. According to Almengo, these recordings do not just provide simple footage, but also key information that can be used for judicial purposes, particularly in criminal proceedings.
The bill states that this system will protect both police officers and citizens by securing evidence in case of investigations.
Meanwhile, Commissioner Rosa Broce reported that the Police are already testing body cameras as part of a trial program.
Oropouche Outbreak Puts Darién Communities at Risk
Recently, the Ministry of Health issued an alert due to the outbreak of the Oropouche virus in the Darién province.
Pablo González, an epidemiologist from Minsa, explained that this mosquito-borne disease caused by the Culicoides paraensis mosquito is reemerging and was first discovered in 1955 in Trinidad and Tobago.
Since 2023, cases have been reported across the Americas. In 2024 alone, 10,000 cases were recorded, distributed across Brazil, Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, Cuba, and imported cases in the United States, linked to migration flows and the effects of climate change.
The mosquito bite is highly painful, and the mosquito spreads rapidly. It has been endemic in Panama for many years, as the subtropical climate is a favorable habitat for this type of mosquito.
In Panama, the disease has once again affected several Darién communities, with 34 confirmed cases reported.
The affected individuals are primarily between the ages of 1 and 60, with the highest concentration of cases occurring among individuals aged 20 to 49. According to the epidemiologist, most of the cases have shown a positive reaction to Oropouche.
So far, all reported cases have been in Darién, specifically in the Metetí, Yaviza, and Río Iglesia communities, with the majority of cases concentrated in Metetí.
Currently, there is no rapid test, specific treatment, or vaccine for the Oropouche virus. Clinical management includes rest, hydration, and medications to control fever and pain.
The Panamanian government has intensified surveillance in Darién, where vector control has become crucial to prevent further spread. Authorities highlight that the invasion of natural habitats by human activities and the proliferation of mosquitoes in jungle areas are key factors in the growth of this outbreak.
With the arrival of each rainy season, mosquitoes find favorable conditions to breed, urging communities to stay alert and actively cooperate with prevention measures such as the use of repellents and maintaining areas free of mosquito breeding grounds.
Migrant Flow Through the Darién Jungle Decreases: Only 2,132 Crossings in 2025
President José Raúl Mulino announced on Thursday, January 30, a 93% reduction in migrant flow during his weekly press conference from the Palacio de Las Garzas.
With only two days left in January 2025, only 2,132 irregular migrants have crossed the Darién jungle, in contrast to the figures from the same period last year, which exceeded 31,000 people.
Mulino attributes the decrease in migrant flow to the efforts of the Panamanian government since the beginning of his administration to regulate movement in the Darién jungle, as well as partnerships with countries such as the United States, through the Memorandum of Understanding.
Thanks to the aforementioned initiative, 59 repatriation and deportation flights have been carried out, transporting a total of 1,886 people to countries such as Colombia, Ecuador, and India.
Additionally, 16 commercial flights have been conducted, with two of them funded by Panama, deporting citizens from India, China, Bangladesh, Colombia, and Ecuador.
The president also announced that 95 individuals from Iran were detected crossing through the Darién jungle, a phenomenon that had not been observed in that border area until now.
Reform to the CSS: These Are the Key Changes of the Second Block
The Commission on Labor, Health, and Social Development of the National Assembly reached a consensus that the Social Security Fund (CSS) will be responsible for managing the reserve funds of the entity. However, it allows the Board of Directors to delegate the execution of up to 90% of the reserve fund to the National Bank and Caja de Ahorros, while the remaining 10% can be managed by investment administrators.
📌 Investment Limits and Regulations
✔️ Administrators can only manage a maximum of 10% of the reserve funds.
✔️ The National Bank and Caja de Ahorros can execute up to 90% of the reserve fund if the CSS board decides so.
✔️ Any investment must be properly substantiated and authorized by a reasoned resolution.
✔️ They cannot invest in companies where CSS board members (director and subdirector), the president and vice president of the Republic, ministers of state, and their families (up to the fourth degree of consanguinity or second of affinity) are beneficiaries or have direct or indirect stock participation.
✔️ They cannot invest in securities issued by associations or companies linked to the production of weapons, explosives, illegal minerals, labor exploitation, narcotics, psychotropic substances, animal cruelty, or gambling.
✔️ Investments cannot respond to personal or commercial interests of any person, including members of the CSS board and the Risk and Investment Commission.
✔️ Any investment decision violating this rule will be sanctioned and may lead to criminal and financial liability for any resulting losses.
⚖️ Transparency and Control Rules To avoid risks and ensure proper use of funds, investments and their management must adhere to the principles of:
✅ Good governance and sustainability.
✅ Prevention of money laundering.
✅ Control against terrorism financing and proliferation of weapons.
📌 Employer Contribution Increase Will Be Phased The nine members of the Commission also agreed to maintain the increase in employer contributions. The increase will be progressive: 13.25% of employee salaries to the CSS, starting with the enactment of the law and lasting until March 1, 2027. After the reform, the percentage will increase gradually:
- 14.25% starting March 2, 2027.
- 15.25% starting March 2, 2029.
Salaried workers will continue to contribute 9.75% of their gross monthly salary, while self-employed workers will contribute 9.34% for pensions and 8.5% for health insurance. Additionally, the reform establishes contributions on the Thirteenth Month. Employers will contribute 10.75%, while employees will contribute 7.25% of this benefit.
🏛️ The State Will Maintain Its Contribution, Adjusted for GDP The government will contribute 0.8% of the salaries and bases of insured individuals. However, starting March 2, 2029, this percentage will increase by 0.4% if the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grows. If the GDP decreases, the state’s contribution will remain the same as the previous year.
🍷🚬 New Sources of Income for the CSS The proposal also seeks to diversify CSS’s income, with a percentage of the Selective Consumption Tax on products like alcohol, beer, wine, and tobacco being allocated to strengthen the social security system. It is worth noting that this was the proposal presented by the Vamos party and reached a consensus among the nine deputies.
Furthermore, the CSS will receive income from:
✔️ Fines and penalties from delinquent employers.
✔️ Profits from investments made with system funds.
✔️ Contributions from voluntary insurers and special regimes.
✔️ Donations, inheritances, and legacies (tax-deductible).
✔️ Penalties for contractors who breach agreements with the CSS.
Impact on Pensioners and Subsidy Beneficiaries Pensioners will also contribute 6.75% of their pension. Additionally, insured individuals receiving temporary disability or maternity subsidies will contribute 9.75% of those subsidies.
Special Contributions for Banana Workers The project includes a special provision for manual banana workers. Their employers must contribute 2.5% of their wages, while the state will contribute 6% to ensure their access to a special old-age pension.
Loans for Retired and Pensioned Individuals in the CSS The Social Security Fund will maintain a unit responsible for managing loans.
✅ Types of Loans:
- Personal loans for retirees and pensioners.
- Mortgage loans for insured individuals, retirees, and pensioners.
✅ Interest Rates:
- Should be profitable for the CSS.
- Should be reasonable for insured individuals, retirees, and pensioners.
✅ Source of Funds:
- The loan portfolio will be financed with the reserve funds from the Disability, Old Age, and Death Program (IVM).
- Limit: It cannot exceed 20% of the total amount of this reserve.
✅ Regulations:
- The CSS Board of Directors will regulate the functioning of this unit.
✅ Use of Earnings:
- The profits generated by the loans will be allocated to the Disability, Old Age, and Death Fund (IVM).
Health Benefits for Dependents The CSS will ensure medical benefits under the illness risk for the dependents of insured individuals, according to the Health Services and Benefits Regulation. These dependents must not have sufficient resources to contribute to the CSS on their own and must have been previously registered.
Reform Debate The debate on the reform of the CSS has generated differing opinions among labor and business sectors. While some believe the new contributions will strengthen the CSS, others warn that the increase in quotas will affect workers and businesses’ economies.
A group of workers and unionists warned that they will take to the streets in opposition to the CSS reforms, rejecting the increase in retirement age, quotas, and the management of the CSS funds by private or public banking entities.
Before the session ended, the deputies committed to publishing everything approved in the first and second blocks on the Assembly’s website for public knowledge. The project is still under discussion in the Health Commission of the National Assembly, and the third block of the project could be submitted for a vote in the coming days.
Will a consensus be reached in the Assembly? The future of the pension and health system for thousands of Panamanians will depend on the outcome of this debate, which must still go through two more rounds of discussion before being fully approved in the Commission, in what would be the first debate.
Construction of the David-Panama Train: What Phase Is the Project In?
The David-Panama Train project is advancing in the planning phase, with the development of the Master Plan underway. The goal of this plan is to define the route, the pathways, the project requirements, and to make an estimated cost evaluation. The plan is being prepared by the company AECOM, with the support of the Government of Panama and the National Railway Secretariat.
Objectives and Focus of the Master Plan
The Master Plan, which is expected to be completed in six months, will include: • Technical and demand studies
• Conceptual design of the train route
• Feasibility study with budget estimates
• Implementation strategies, considering both passenger and freight transport, along with an important tourism component.
In this initial phase, the construction of at least 70 bridges along the route is highlighted, one of which will cross over the Panama Canal, a key logistical challenge. The project aims to integrate territories, foster the development of key areas, and boost tourism in the regions it passes through.
AECOM’s Participation and Contract Characteristics
In December 2024, the Government of Panama signed a contract with AECOM for B/.2.2 million to provide technical advisory for the Master Plan development. AECOM is a global company based in Los Angeles, California, with experience in over 150 countries, bringing strength and confidence to the project.
Future Projections for the Panama-David-Border Train
The project also has long-term projections, such as the possible expansion to other Central American countries, which could make it a landmark for regional connectivity.
Expected Impact: • Improved national and international connectivity
• Economic development in the areas the train will pass through
• Boost to tourism and logistics in Panama
This project is considered one of the most ambitious infrastructure works of President José Raúl Mulino’s government, emphasizing regional integration and sustainable development as key principles.
Social Security Fund Achieves Increase in Surgical Interventions at the Hospital Complex
In the last quarter of 2024, the Dr. Arnulfo Arias Madrid Hospital Complex performed 3,401 surgeries, 227 more compared to the same period in 2023, when 3,174 surgical interventions were carried out.
These surgeries were divided into 1,375 emergency procedures, 1,188 outpatient surgeries, and 838 elective surgeries with hospitalization.
The Social Security Fund (CSS) reported that this is the result of the surgical recovery program implemented by the administration since the arrival of General Director Dino Mon.
The current administration is executing a plan to ensure the necessary medical-surgical supplies for these procedures. Additionally, it is preparing medical center areas to expedite surgeries as part of its policy of providing timely care to patients.
According to figures from the Health Planning Unit and Technical Secretariat, the months of October, November, and December recorded an average of 1,133 surgeries per month.
The surgical services include general surgery, plastic and reconstructive maxillofacial surgery, otolaryngology, orthopedics, traumatology, ophthalmology, neurosurgery, and urology, among others.
At the same time, the CSS is also developing a strategy to expedite surgeries at the Cardiovascular and Thoracic Institute of the Health City, through which surgical backlogs in cardiovascular and orthopedic procedures have been reduced by more than 2,000 procedures.
The CSS reminded that the Hospital Complex is currently undergoing a maintenance and rehabilitation plan for its structures, aimed at improving the patient experience and enhancing the care they receive.
Exclusive Invitation: Business Cocktail Hour 🍸
The Panama Business Club invites you to an exclusive evening of networking and business connections.
📅 Date: February 4, 2025
🕕 Time: 6:00 PM
📍 Location: Global Hotel, Obarrio, Panama City
Connect with business professionals, expand your network, and explore new opportunities in a sophisticated setting.
Don’t miss it! 🎉
