THIS WEEK'S PANAMANIAN BETTING POOL: WHAT DAY WILL MOSSACK AND FONSECA FLEE THE COUNTRY ?

The hottest bet around Panama city these days involves picking the day when Jurgen Mossack and Ramón Fonseca, the senior partners of the law firm whose stolen files became known as the Panama Papers, flee the country to avoid prosecution for money laundering. Apparently, most Panamanians are busy counting the days when the duo leaves town for good, to collect upon their bets.

Why have two obviously guilty lawyers have been let out of jail, only to permit them to run ? Perhaps they have far too much incriminating evidence against not only the Martinelli cabinet, but also the present, Varela, government. Perhaps justice will be denied, again, to protect "flight capital" of dubious origins, which many Panamanians regard as the lifeblood of their country's opaque economy.

Where will they go, Miami ?  If so, they can pal around with former Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli, who seems to have cheated justice, thanks to some hidden American sponsor, most likely a law enforcement agency. If I see them with Rama Vyasulu, of Rosemont Financial "Permuta" fame, I will try to take a photo.