'PL facade is crumbling to its rotten core' - Gonzi
Gonzi has categorically rubbished claims that he had any prior knowledge about the oil procurement scandal. He also claimed that the PL is using the scandal to hide its internal troubles.
13 February 2013, 12:00am
Jacob Borg
Jacob Borg
2 min read
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi was on the attack this evening, slamming a statement by Labour MP Evarist Bartolo that he had been aware of the oil procurement scandal before it broke in the press, dubbing the allegation as “pathetic.”
Gonzi said that he had no prior knowledge about the procurement scandal, stating that as soon as he heard about the case he reported it to the police.
“The difference between me and Joseph Muscat is that whilst Muscat just talks, I lead and take action.”
Despite admitting that a whistleblower act is needed, Gonzi said that the presidential pardon “is a powerful tool” - referring to the pardon for George Farrugia, the oil trader representing Trafigura, suspected of having paid kickbacks to Enemalta officials for the supply of oil to the state utility.
“This pardon has been given under strict conditionality. It is rarely used. In this case I took the initative after the police commissioner advised that a presidential pardon might move the case forward. I had previously said that I was willing to recommend a pardon should anyone have more information on the case,” Gonzi said.
One of the most important conditions for the pardon was that Farrugia had to pay all illicitly gained monies and €250,000 as civil debt, Gonzi said.
Continuing his full frontal attack, Gonzi dubbed the Tony Zarb and Toni Abela recordings revealed in the past weeks as a “pandora’s box of old Labour” - referring to recordings implicating the GWU secretary-general and PL deputy leader for party affairs Toni Abela in impolitical statements they made in confidential exchanges.
“Whenever the PN caught a whiff of any corruption it immediately reported it to the police. Unfortunately the PL cannot say the same.”
“In 2010 David Aguis reported the information in the Abela recording to the police commissioner. How can Abela, who is both a lawyer and PL deputy leader, selectively seek out a Labourite police officer? He knew the consequences of what he was doing,” Gonzi said.
The PM refuted Muscat’s claim that stipends had been decreased under a Nationalist government.
"The PN never reduced stipends. In 2005 prescribed courses actually had their stipends increased," he said.
Gonzi said that publishers have received the tablet proposal well,showning willingness to support Maltese titles in e-book format.
Tonight’s meeting took place near the oft-referred to Mosta dome. Gonzi quipped that if the meeting was taking place near a massive gas tank - a reference to Labour's proposal for an LNG terminal and power station in Delimara - he would have to evacuate the crowd to safety.
Closing with a bang Gonzi said" “The Labour façade is gradually crumbling to its rotten core, and we are gradually seeing their true face."
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AS IF DECENT PERSON IN MALTA AND GOZO IS NOW BELIEVING ONE WORD OF WHAT GONZI SAYS!!! THE CONSTANT LIES, TWISTING OF FACTS, BLATANTLY IGNORING ACTUAL VIDEO RECORDINGS OF HIS ADMISSIONS ARE NOW SO ENTRENCHED IN EVERYONE MIND THAT HIS ASSERTIONS ARE DERIDED BY ALL. AND THE MORE HIS TEAM LIES ABOUT THE SCANDALS THAT HAVE ROCKED MALTA AND BEYOND, THE MORE PEOPLE OF GOOD WILL REALIZE THAT HIS PARTY CANNOT BE TRUSTED WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF THESE ISLANDS ANY LONGER.
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The differnce between Joseph and Lawrence is that Joseph is positive while Lawrence is negative and this one can see it even in his looks.Re TA.I would liketo remind Goonzi PN about the case of EFA suq hawn jien.Remember that ?
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The differnce between Joseph and Lawrence is that Joseph is positive while Lawrence is negative and this one can see it even in his looks.Re TA.I would liketo remind Goonzi PN about the case of EFA suq hawn jien.Remember that ?
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can you please DR Gonzi look at this>>>
Three years ago, a complaint involving Labour MP Dr Justyne Caruana and the President of the Nationalist Party’s General Council, Paula Mifsud Bonnici, was quashed before it even made it to court. This happened because the police were asked not to proceed with court action since, in this particular case, Paula Mifsud Bonnici made an apology and it was accepted.
At the time Paula Mifsud Bonnici was investigated by the police for sending a series of text messages that constituted stalking the Labour MP. The PN President admitted and made an apology which was accepted by the Dr. Caruana. The PN had issued a statement saying that this was a personal matter and the issue was closed. The statement also said that Paula Mifsud Bonnici was to remain President of the PN’s General Council.
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THE GALL THIS MAN HAS IS TYPICAL OF THE MALTESE SAYING "WICCU U S..... XORTA" HE HAS ASSUMED POLITICAL RESPONSIBILITY JOINTLY WITH HIS CABINET TO BACK A.G. FULLY THROUGHOUT THIS MASSIVE CORRUPTION SCANDAL THAT HAS ROCKED MALTA AND EUROPE AND HE HAS THE GALL TO CALL THE PL A ROTTEN CORE. HAS THIS MAN LOST ALL HIS MORALITY? THE PEOPLE OF MALTA ARE SEEING THE TRUE FACE OF GONZIPN NOW MORE THAN EVER BEFORE NOT ONLY WITH THESE REVELATIONS BUT ALSO IN THE UNCHRISTIAN ATTACK ON THE OPPOSITION WITH FABRICATED CASES JUST TO COVER THEIR MORTAL SINS OF GREED, ARROGANCE, AND MANIPULATION OF THE COUNTRY'S FINANCES.
Luke Camilleri •
Nemmnuh?
Suppost nemmnuh il-Gonzi????? Min irrid jithaq b'min Dr. Gonzi!
Li qal FRANCO DEBONO fuqek u fuq l'oligarkija li inti mdawwar biha kollha veru!
Int ghandhekk rotten core u FAHAM MIBLUL li lanqas lapaci int jew membri tal-Kabinett tieghek jiffaccaw il Franco Debono u l-JPO fosthom anki AUST Gatt li jiehu Guramenti foloz!
Min ghandhu "rotten Core"??? Min irrid jithaq b'min?
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Gonzi says: David Agius reported information re Abela case.
I say; Have you taken action when David Agius was caught copying three times? Is he still in possession of the Masters Diploma he acquired by copying?
Gonzi says: PN never reduced stipends.
I say: You are a liar. Ask the nurses. You have been recorded admitting you reduced stipends.
Finall I say NOW WE KNOW YOU.
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Gonzi says: he had no knowledge of the oil scandal.
I say; we wait and see. A.G. also said he never met Farrugia.
Gonzi says; Muscat just talks, I lead and take action.
I say; Muscat is leading the trust polls by 13%.
Gonzi says: Corruption was immediately reported to Police.
I say; What about BWSC, oil scandal, Tonio Fenech and Montebello, Gozo Mayors etc.
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Whenever the PN caught a whiff of any corruption it immediately reported it to the police----------
So whatever happened to the BWSC event? Perhaps, because it wasn't switched on at the time, the "whiff" was not noticed. Come on Gonz. is this the best you can do?
