The plenary session of the National Assembly approved this Tuesday in third debate, the bill No. 157 that declares December 20 of each year as National Mourning Day, and therefore establishes a mandatory rest in the working day.
The project was approved with 56 votes in favor, 0 votes against and 0 abstentions.
December 20 is usually declared a National Mourning Day through decrees; however, with the creation of this law, the date would be contemplated within the labor legislation, which would entail, beyond a reminder, a legal basis, as would be precisely the mandatory rest.
According to the project, the flag must be raised to half-staff throughout the country, and the transmission of loud music in the media and the consumption and sale of alcoholic beverages will also be prohibited.
The bill was originally presented by deputies Héctor Brands, Bernardino González and Crispiano Adames.
After this, the veto or sanction by the Executive will be awaited.
It should be noted that on December 20, what is known as the Invasion of Panama to the United States occurred, apparently to overthrow the then president Manuel Noriega. The US army bombed different parts of the country and left several dead.
