Betsabé Morales Resigns as Manager of the Foundation Ports of Las Palmas Following Audit Questioning Her Appointment

The manager of the Foundation Ports of Las Palmas, Betsabé Morales, has submitted her resignation, more than two months after an audit by Ports of the State detected several irregularities in the management of the entity. Among them, the report concludes that her appointment was illegal as it did not respect the principles of publicity, merit, and capacity required for such positions.

According to the newspaper La Provincia, Morales submitted her resignation last Thursday, July 2, and it was accepted on Friday, July 3, just one day later.

The audit also indicates that the Foundation Ports of Las Palmas may have been used over the past two years to hire individuals linked to the Canary Coalition. One of the cases mentioned is that of Marcial J. Rodríguez de León, the party's Secretary of Culture, who transitioned from being an external consultant to holding an administrative position through a series of contracts that the report considers irregular.

Additionally, the auditors question numerous expenses incurred by the Foundation. These include sports sponsorships, contributions to religious celebrations, and the hiring of a personal trainer to prepare participants for a half marathon, costing up to 14,900 euros.

The report also focuses on several contracts related to promotional actions and the image of the Foundation and the president of the Port Authority of Las Palmas, Beatriz Calzada. These include the organization of events, the presentation of the Foundation's brand, and a communication project awarded to a company that submitted its bid late.

Another questioned contract is a photography and video service valued at 14,900 euros, which was awarded to the partner of the head of the president's cabinet at the Port Authority. The audit also highlights that this individual received other minor contracts from the Port Authority.

Finally, the report includes several financial contributions intended for religious events. Among them, a grant of 5,000 euros for the canonical coronation of the Virgin of Carmen, another 2,000 euros for the Carmen festivities of 2025 — paid solely with a receipt from the parish, without an invoice — and an additional 2,000 euros for the La Naval Festivities of that same year.

Photo: Foundation Ports of Las Palmas