Panama’s Ombudsman’s Office ordered the permanent closure of two regional offices and assigned the handling of their proceedings to other branches. Resolutions DDP-DAJ-106-2026 and DDP-DAJ-107-2026, both dated October 13, set the closures for October 16, 2026. They were published that day in Official Gazette editions 30636 and 30636 B, respectively. The measure changes service locations for Arraiján and Panamá Norte; it does not eliminate the proceedings those offices handled.

The first provision of Resolution 106 identifies the Arraiján office in the PH Plaza la Marquesa building. Its second provision directs proceedings and user services to the La Chorrera regional office. In Panamá Norte, Resolution 107 closes the office in Plaza Las Cumbres and redirects proceedings and services to the institution’s headquarters. These are different destinations and should not be confused when advising people with cases in progress.

Both decisions attribute the closures to an internal administrative restructuring process. The third provision establishes that the closures are permanent and identifies October 16 as the closing date. Meanwhile, the fourth provides that the resolutions take effect upon signature. This distinction matters: the date of the administrative act and the date on which the offices cease operating are not the same. Neither text presents the measure as a temporary suspension with a reopening date.

For individuals, organizations and representatives dealing with the Ombudsman’s Office, the immediate consequence is the need to identify the branch taking over services. Visiting the former premises may not allow them to complete a procedure. The redirection ordered in the resolutions does not, by itself, establish that every case file has been physically transferred or that every user has received an individual communication about their case. It also does not establish that a pending application must be restarted.

The provisions reviewed identify the receiving offices but do not detail their opening hours or provide case-specific instructions for collecting documents or consulting files. Effective continuity of service will depend on how the transfer is organized and on operational information supplied by the institution. Before describing the transfer as fully completed, the services available at each destination and the handling of matters pending at the closed offices remain to be verified.

Research assisted by Sentinel, with editorial verification of official sources. Discover Legislat.ai