|
Former Labour MP and parliamentary secretary for the elderly Dr Louis Buhagiar is in the centre of a storm linked to his declaration of assets made to parliament and related to his income from medical fees.
Dr Frank Portelli, who was a member of parliament between 1987 and 1992 and former President of the PN National Council, now Chief Executive of St Philips Hospital has written to the Speaker of the House of the Representatives Anton Tabone asking him to investigate the fiscal declarations by Dr Louis Buhagiar during his time as a member of the House.
The request for an inquiry made by Dr Portelli calls on the Speaker to look into the declaration of assets made by Dr Louis Buhagiar.
In his request Dr Portelli states: “Having seen the declaration of assets made by Dr Louis Buhagiar for the years 2001 and 2002 – I am personally convinced that these do not represent a true account of his state of affairs.
“Gross misrepresentation of a member of parliament assets harms the institution and goes against the code of ethics we expect from our representatives.
“ I am therefore requesting that a formal inquiry be conducted to establish the veracity of the facts – and I for one will provide evidence to substantiate my concerns.”
According to parliamentary documents seen by MaltaToday, Louis Buhagiar declared bank deposits which increased from Lm23,122 in 1998 to Lm120, 857 in 2001.
His employment during the period included his professional appointment as medical consultant, as well as a lecturer at the University of Malta.
In 1998, he declared bank deposits of Lm23,122 in his fixed account. The year after, 1999 now an MP, he declared deposits of Lm42,715.
In 2000 the figure declared was Lm81,763, and in 2001 the figure for bank deposits was Lm120,857.
In 2002 however Dr Buhagiar did not deposit his declaration of interests. The practice is not mandatory for MPs.
Contacted late last night Frank Portelli told Malta Today that he did not wish to comment further at this stage but that he would be prepared to produce the evidence on which he is basing his concerns. Dr Portelli confirmed he believed that Dr Louis Buhagiar’s declarations were grossly understated.
Dr Portelli went on to say that presently there is lack of trust in our politicians and indeed the matter had recently been raised in parliament. “I believe that most of our politicians are honest and hard working individuals and it is imperative that we work hard to regain the trust of the people to whom we are accountable.
“I also happen to believe that the format of declaration of assets is inadequate - for instance income is not declared - and often luxury items such as expensive cars costing Lm40,000 are often not declared"
Earlier this year MaltaToday was asked to pay Louis Buhagiar Lm4,000 in damages over a news story about overcharging and complaints from foreign insurance agencies. MaltaToday has appealed against the ruling describing the decision shameful.
|
