UPDATE 2: Sant walks out of press conference, accuses PN of provocation

Graham Crocker

Mar 5th 2008, 18:40

Since when were the labor party so Green?
Oh Right they failed when it came to the Economy amongst other things including its Boxla Socjalista.

Now they're Eco-Warriors.

Michael Tabone

Mar 5th 2008, 13:40

The problem is, MLP can't beat PN's proposals, because too many questions are raised about how in all possibility these proposals could possibly be long term. So these accusations of corruption are their best front, since it is partially true, that some ministers have been involved in some form of corruption, but I wouldn't want MLP in government just because of a little corruption...since it didn't do any damage.

The fact is, one Party has a vision, promises to be corruption free.

How can you be corruption free in a country where everyone knows everyone because we are such a small country. Its like a shopkeeper saying no I can't give you a discount to your closests friends. Discounts although legal, are special favours in all honest truth. Now if it's a small special favour, there is nothing wrong in that.

If anyone watched the film "Siriana" you would remember the quote about corruption. "Corruption is what makes this country the best". Now it may seem like a bad example, but it was for the good of the country in truth, though I would never be in favour of causing the deaths of others.

What I'm saying is MLP is promising to be corruption free, but it's impossible. Besides that everyone many people know that MLP will undo everything the nationalists have done as usual since its part of their plan ghall bidu gdid. You can imagine what they will get up to.

Can you trust MLP is the argument and real question here...will they corruption free?

If Sant has wrongly accused JPO I'd say that, that is real corruption. A week before the election wrongly accusing JPO as they did in 1996 to Michael Frendo and that case some how disappeared because there was no proof. If Labour was telling the truth, where was the proof to back it up?

Ask yourself can you really trust this party?

Ray Pace

Mar 5th 2008, 12:42

How can JPO expect that at any time he wants he can show up and try to so said defend these accusations? May I point out that he had time to do so when he called his first press conference, but he wasted this opportunity to again put himself in worst situation by lying that he knew nothing about the project. Before he when to court to open a libel he should first tried to explain his situation. now there is a libel in court and I think Dr. Sant acted most proper to discuss this matter in court on JPO wishes.

Corinne Vella

Mar 5th 2008, 11:44

Keith Chircop:
Alfred Sant wants to be Prime Minister. That is why I think it is Sant's behaviour and motivations that are significant in this case.

E Sultana

Mar 5th 2008, 09:42

Ms C Vella

I'm sorry i am not mentally challenged like you and do not have experience in the journalistic field. If this is the type of material journalists come up with i'm glad i am not one of them.

You see, in your little speech down here you yourself admitted to the fact that JPO was non other than a member of the public audience; as you put it. As you said you are quite familiar with journalism protocols, then i guess you have a better idea than me that at a press conference only press can be present. Apart from that it should have credentials, valid credentials. I guess you studied hard as a student to get your press warrant [at least i hope]. Isn't it a mockery to your profession the giving of a temporary press pass to a DENTIST. If I were in your shoes I would be ashamed to consider journalism as a profession after this episode if anyone can do my job even someone like JPO.

Natalie Mallett

Mar 5th 2008, 09:30

David Gatt
I did watch Xarabank and Dr. Gonzi did answer every question put to him without hesitation and with conviction. The confusion on the health issue was a creation of Dr. Alfred Sant and co. who insist that the report was implemented when in fact it was not. It was he who promised free health care and did a u-turn, not the only one either. There are quite a few u-turns I need not bother to mention as they are by now common knowledge.

Andrew Sciberras

Mar 5th 2008, 08:26

Rather than pointing fingers at Alfred Sant , GonziPN apologists should be aiming their guns at Joe Saliba and Co who have very cleverly maneuvered JPO to the frontline to take all the flak. Come Monday, when the dust settles, JPO will be the scapegoat of GonziPN’s defeat at the polls. Wake up people, try to look a little further than your noses.

Darren Zammit

Mar 5th 2008, 02:52

Everyone speaking about victims...I think the real victims is our environment when we try to destroy it with useless "open air entertainement" uses on a site which merits respect for its intrisic beauty. shame on all of you who defend the destruction of our sole national resource - the environment

David Gatt

Mar 5th 2008, 00:12

Natalie Mallett-- i seriously doubt you have been following Malta's Election Campaign. How can you say that Gonzi answered EVERY question put to him? Did you watch last week's Xarabank? He dodged every question that made him uneasy. His credibility level is at an all time low, especially considering the big confusion he made on the health fees issue.

R Azzopardi

Mar 4th 2008, 23:00

The real question is NOT whether JPO had a right to be there. It's NOT what the rules of BA are and whether either party involved followed those rules. The question is: Why the itchy feet? Why so quick to trot out the door?

If I were Dr. Sant, and I was confident that i had enough proof to substantiate my accusations against this man, I would have regarded JPO as a desperate, defensive, pathetic man and i would have demonstrated this to the public. I would have exploited this opportunity that presented itself like magic and put him down right there in front the cameras on national tv.

I can't fathom why this did not occur to Dr Sant.

Maybe he just didn't feel like facing a difficult situation?

Maybe he's just not bothered?

Maybe he was unprepared, and couldn't handle the prospect of being faced with questions he couldn't answer?

Who knows?

Emanuel Borg

Mar 4th 2008, 22:38

Has it not occurred to MLP supporters why Alfred Sant is making all these allegations at this time? Let me tell you: 1. There is not enough time to prove or disprove any of these allegations. Last time none were proven to be true. 2. Dr Sant has nothing substantial to say or any policies to shout about. It is unacceptable to most people in a democratic country for a politician to avoid answering fair questions about how he intends to carry out his policies. It is a most arrogant stance, more akin to a dictator than a democratically elected leader.

The problem for Sant is he does not know how he is going to carry out his promises. This is because he believes he should be trusted with power first. But intelligent people will not trust him because he has no credibility whatsoever. The only votes he can count on is from labour fanatics who are prepared to vote for him however ridiculous his behaviour. Shame on him. He knows it is his last chance and he is desperate. MLP supporters please open your eyes and your mind. You owe it to your children and your country. Don't gamble on a loser.

Kevin Chircop

Mar 4th 2008, 22:27

Dear Ms.C.Vella,

By your norms, is it an acceptable behaviour:

1) For the DOI to issue a press card to a Gonzipn candidate in 4 hours?
2) For the DOI to issue this press card that expires by the 06th of March - for 4 days only? Why only for four days? Will JPO declare this income from Medialink communications?
3) That JPO and the Gonzipn party clearly went against the BA rules stating that no candidate can participate in such debates?
4) that Gonzipn lied about the fact that the nominated journailst for Medialink communications was sick and so had to be replaced?
5) That in less than 24hours the same journalist was once again alive and kicking?
6)That Gonzipn are using JPO as a good excuse for losing next Saturday's election, the same as they did with Mr.John Dalli in 1996?

The only unacceptable behaviour for me

1) is that JPO lied about the fact that he did not know that thanks to the previous DCC(A) board approval, his property value went up from Lm12,000 to more than Lm1,000,000.

2) To have the 'Best Green Parlamenterian of the Year' trying to ruin pristine land such as Mistra.

3) To sacrifice anything even a European Nature Site (Nature2000 area) such as Mistra for dosh.

4) To lose face with fellow Europeans once they discover what JPO and MEPA have done.

No wonder during these last couple of years Malta's ranking in the Transparency International Agency report worsened.

J.Scerri

Mar 4th 2008, 21:53

I would like to give an advice to all the victims of Dr.Sant's allegations. Do like Dr. Pullicino Orlando and go to every Press conference given by Alfred Sant to ask him for evidence. The only problem will be that all the journalists will have to put on running shoes as I'm afraid that every press conference will end up in a marathon, like yesterday's !!!

Corinne Vella

Mar 4th 2008, 21:34

E Sultana

You appear to believe that Alfred Sant's behaviour is acceptable. It is not surprising that uninformed supporters of Alfred Sant think that this is normal behaviour. That is why he believes he can behave in such a manner with impunity.

Possibly you are not familiar with the internationally accepted protocols of press conferences. I have attended several and have never seen a situation where ANY prospective speaker asked for the removal of a member of the audience and called for the police to ensure that it happens, much less a speaker who is a would-be and has been Prime Minister.

There have been many occasions when speakers at press conferences faced a challenging audience knowing their every move and word would be broadcast around the world. That is exactly what they did. They faced their audience and they took their questions. They didn't split hairs over whether those questioners had a right to be in the room, they didn't call for the police to remove the people they didn't like, and they didn't evoke the letter of the law to back up their presumption that they do not need to respond to questions put by someone whom they have accused of corruption.

It matters little who mentioned the police first. It is disappointing that institutions set up to ensure free and fair information fail in their mission under pressure from a would be Prime Minister. It is sinister that would be Prime Minister Sant expects the police to help him silence an opponent.

Natalie Mallett

Mar 4th 2008, 19:35

Every single day during this electoral campaign Dr. Lawrence Gonzi faced every single question put to him by anyone including the persistently provocative labour party media. He did not hesitate at all, not even this morning to answer every question put to him. Why is Alfred Sant so scared of facing JPO. There is only one answer. Alfred Sant you're not telling the truth. I feel sad for you. It must be so frustrating facing the end of your political career. Looking back at it really there wasn't much to be proud of.

J Zammit

Mar 4th 2008, 19:03

This has been a dirty campaign by Dr Sant. But then he blundered when faced by JPO. This was one of Dr Sant's typical blunders with that of his big U-turn when he has finally gone to the Police Commissioner.

M.Micallef

Mar 4th 2008, 18:53

Shame on JPO and the gonzipn team.they are trying to do everything to provoke Dr.Sant.Total desperation for gonzipn.Dr.Sant did the right thing! Congratulations

Edward Mifsud

Mar 4th 2008, 18:07

MC Amato and all you PN appologists, JPO is the victim of someone within his own camp and I think its not difficult to figure out who.

The pack of documents that Dr Sant produced last week-end and the MEPA letter he supplied yesterday must have been delivered by a PN insider. Can't you see this?

Thus, Dr Sant is not mud slinging JPO he is using the info supplied to him. One understands JPO's desperation, but let's face it the PN would have done the same with such crushing evidence.

This is a severe dent to JPO's credibility and Dr Gonzi's new generation strategy.

Albert Gauci Cunningham

Mar 4th 2008, 17:10

aaa now I understand!! ....so you can call someone corrupt, you have the decency to destroy somone's life, you have the nerve to go on TV and ruin someone's political career but then you expect to tell your "victim" when and where he/she should or shouldn't react!!!.......Very clearly the MLP and a few of you bloggers have reached the height of arrogance..........you think you have a "carte blanche" to call people corrupt as long as this means winning the election.........the MLP thinks that it can cry wolf because of a few booes but than it can throw mud galore!!! and try to take credit for it.................what if the MLP had to throw dirt at any one of you labour apologisits here? What would you do? Would you enjoy people trying to ridicule you? The truth is that this campaign has proved that the MLP is not prepared to govern this country, so much so, that the only tool left is mud and more mud..............and then when faced with someone like jeff our prospective PM runs away and encourages the diehards to write on the Times.com to tell us that they are floaters who don't have a problem with disgusting mudslinging campaigns but they do have a problem with a politician trying to defend himself from all this visiousness!!! Do you know how to spell the word SHAME????

Elaine Bonello

Mar 4th 2008, 15:31

Whether or not Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando had a right to be there, the point is that an aspiring PM did not have the guts to answer a maximum of 3 questions. This in an environment when he was protected and obviously had the upper hand. How does this person hope to negotiate with another 26 EU countries to change our accession treaty? In Malta, how does he hope to deal with trade unions and various official bodies? By walking out? Way to go Dr Sant!

Gordon Briffa

Mar 4th 2008, 15:31

Same old story.............how can we ever trust you as our new PM?

Marie Claudine Amato

Mar 4th 2008, 15:19

A man is found guilty when it's proved so, in jpo's case he was not proved that he was guilty of something he is just a victim of Mr Sant's dark campaign!!! If sant was on the right and he has proof, well than he shouldn't have ran away but faced Jpo, the only thing that i can understand from all this is that Alfred Sant is losing all credibility with all his lies !!!!

Raphael Vassallo

Mar 4th 2008, 14:42

Sad fact of the matter is that, were it not for an election in a few days' time, we would all be asking ourselves why MEPA yet again issued an outline development permit, against the recommendations of its own case officer, on land which is outside development zone and therefore supposedly protected by law. In this case in particular, the case officer brought forward very valid reasons to refuse the permit: the land is agricultural, it is eologically sensitive, it has been earmarked as a Natura 2000 site, etc. So why, why, WHY was the permit issued? Please note also that the permit was issued by the same board - DCC A - which resigned en masse last week, after yet aother irregularity was revealed. The board in question looks specifically into ODZ applications, and was reconsituted merely a few days before the election, presumably to deal with the enormous caseload of pending ODZ applications. I wish people would stop looking only at the interests of their own party. Quite frankly I don;t care which of thre two parties comes off the better or worse for this latest controversy. We are turning our country into one giant building site. Does nobody care about that anymore?

Joe Martinelli

Mar 4th 2008, 14:17

Oh, sorry, I forgot to add that a crocodile has a very thick skin indeed, but on the flip side, he has a very soft yellow belly.

Joe Martinelli

Mar 4th 2008, 14:14

This man has a skin thicker than that of a crocodile!

The cheek he has to accuse the PN of provocation!

He should look up the word in his dictionary, maybe he will realize that his whole campaign was one big exercise in provocation!

David Gatt

Mar 4th 2008, 14:06

This was by far PN's most stupid act. JPO made a fol of himself and he will now be considered as a cheap politician like the rest of the crew.

Guzeppi Grech

Mar 4th 2008, 13:35

Relax everyone! It will soon be over anyway. Unfortunately JPO's career seems just as over. But at least now Gonzipn has a scapegoat. AD must be missing the attention that being the target for DCG's and Gonzipn's venomous hysteria was getting them. Four more days and good-bye.
Thanks for your efforts, please switch off the lights on your way out.

E Sultana

Mar 4th 2008, 13:02

I support AS for walking out on JPO. If he was a lesser man he would have stayed there but the way JPO was shouting and trying to insitgate Dr. Sant was no way a future deputy should act.

And to add insult to injury, all those of you who say that Dr. Sant chickened out of confronting him he didn't. If all of you say that you have seen the footage you could have seen Joe Saliba saying under his breath to JPO 'oqghod hemm' (stay where you are). JPO wasn't there to defend his last bit of honour, he was there on a mandate by GonziPN to save their last hope for a victory.

GonziPN does not care for the reputation of JPO; all he care about is an elecotral vicotry without MUD. But there is mud and if he was a righteous man Gonzi could have avoided all these attacks. But his party is tainted with afflicitions here and permissions there, it is becoming a more known fact now.

GonziPN himself declared that he had no idea about what happened at PBS yesterday in Bondi + Dr.Gonzi, JPO is ruining your campaign and you have no idea what your candidates are doing? If you can't control your candidated during an electoral campaign i wonder how you manage to control them in Government.

As for Corinne Vella and James De Gorgio, it's no wonder you get your facts wrong if all you watch is NET Tv. It was't Dr. Sant who mentioned the Police first. JPO shouted at the top of his lungs first that only the police could get him out of PBS. I think that was a clear invitation. So please check unbiased facts before writing

James De Giorgio

Mar 4th 2008, 12:49

If Alfred Sant had nothing to hide, he would have stayed and answered.

Sant has probably rallied many voters who did not collect their votes from the seventh and the eleventh district, just to vote for JPO.

David Magri

Mar 4th 2008, 12:46

Dear Frederick Agius,

Less than one day passes and I am proven right.

http://www.timesofmalta.com/election2008/view/20080303/news/receipt-shows-pullicino-orlando-informed-of-mistra-application-sant

So yes, Dr. Sant was right and JPO is trying to defend the undefendable. Crocodile tears won't do the job this time round I'm afraid!

n muscat

Mar 4th 2008, 12:35

What a pity that Dr. Sant, the famous Harvard graduate, walked out of the PBS studios yesterday! He would have continued his beloved narrattiva had he stayed there! If that is how they teach their students to behave at Harvard (to shy away from direct challenges) I would much prefer to receive my education at the University of Malta thank you very much. At least there I am allowed to express my opinion, whatever it may be :)

Mark Galea

Mar 4th 2008, 11:56

Well done Jeffrey! Exposing Dr Sant like that showed you have all the qualities of a fair politician. If you had anything to hide, you would have kept quiet. I admired your action tremendously!

Glen Cassar

Mar 4th 2008, 11:13

Dr Sant did well to walk away from PBS. It was meant to be a conference and not a debate. Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando does not need to face Alfred Sant but he needs to face Malta for his environmental mockery.

J. Degiorgio

Mar 4th 2008, 11:13

Alfred Cassar, actions speak louder than words... If you were trying to picture JPO as innocent victim in all this, I invite you to read this: http://www.timesofmalta.com/election2008/view/20080303/news/receipt-shows-pullicino-orlando-informed-of-mistra-application-sant
JPO has a lost a lot of credibility in this. Admit it and move on.

Colin Camilleri

Mar 4th 2008, 11:09

Given the PNs current behaviour, I will not be surprised that they will lose the election, have a minority against other parties and still try to run this country for another 5 years. This is a doomsday scenario for our country.

Danny Attard

Mar 4th 2008, 11:01

Fact 1. Dr Sant Presented his case against JPO in detailed form. The accusations are out and so very clear for all (who want to see) to see

Fact 2. The accusations have shaken to the core the NP's claim to be able to bring about necessary changes

Fact 3. JPO therefore has at his disposal all the extensive pro PN media structures to put forward to us his side of the story.

From what I hear him state to date I must admit that his explanations are woefully inept.

Therefore the question naturally arises, why did JPO obtain a temporary press card to do what he has done when he has at his disposal the most daunting of platforms from where to put his case.

The antics as I see them from JPO unfortunately duly supported by the PN itself continues to press on my mind the distinct impression that we have now entered troubled waters when we need to examine if basic democratic tenants are coming under treat.

Mark Busuttil

Mar 4th 2008, 10:32

Dr Sant, you can run but you can never hide!. If your allegations of corruption on the Mistra Case were so true, why didn't you confront JPO. You seem to be using the Whistle Blower act as a wind breaker or rather a paraventu.

S.Deguara

Mar 4th 2008, 10:31

Like i was seeing an episode of Cheaters,and they were fighting because of their hidden and mysterious girlfriend, and their girlfriend was named TRUTH!

Reuben Spiteri

Mar 4th 2008, 10:10

Hi Leonard,

Let me re write what you just wrote---

I see no point of changing our Government over just Environmental policies when the economy is doing great and prospects for our country are good --

mmm... that is a very serious statement, which requires you to re-think your priorities. It is so unfortunately that in contemporary society it seems that money is the unit which can be used to measure everything... and economy is driving force behind all actions...

Remember no world, no economy!

Mark Bonello

Mar 4th 2008, 09:43

I have been reading all you have written and it makes me smile at how the PN pseudo-propaganda is trying to manipulate such a forum! There have been several instances in this discussion in which a 'floating voter' has decided to once again vote for PN because Dr. Sant did the right thing and walked out of a Press Conference that was to be hijacked by JPO under the patronage of Joe Saliba and GonziPN. Of course this won't happen abroad - but it won't happen because the journalists that actually attend the press conference are actually journalists and do their job as a journalist! JPO knew that he could not be there under the agreement between the BA, MLP and GonziPN. Therefore how can you think that Dr. Sant could have stayed there and justified illegality???

How come none of you 'floaters' have mentioned the fact that the Institute of Journalists condemened the DOI for issuing a Press Card to JPO and thus making a mockery of the journalistic profession? This should have convinced real floaters to vote for Labour so as to bring the change this country desperately needs! The DOI has become one thing with the GonziPN and acts in this shameful way!

JPO can cry his heart out or act foolish by crashing into a Press Conference he was not supposed to attend, but the real facts are that Dr Sant did well to leave in the face of arrogance! The terminology used by JPO shows he is just another Hamallu by challenging Dr Sant! Dr Sant stayed calm all through this episode, the BA asked JPO to leave and when he refused there was no other way but for Dr Sant to leave and not be an accomplice in this attack on democracy! Well done Dr Sant! The REAL floaters will realise who is right!

Byron Camilleri

Mar 4th 2008, 09:42

I think that Dr Sant made Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando look like a crying little girl.


Some time ago, the labor were accused of being the 'hamalli'. Now, the page has turned. Dr Sant did really good in not talking to him. It was 100% provocation. He did not leave even when the chairman of the broadcasting authority told him so! Shame on him. He's not of a good example for the young I think.

JANE DEGUARA

Mar 4th 2008, 09:37

Well i think J.P.O did well, Sant is really a coward.. and you maltese want to wake up to the truth about Dr Sant he's trouble from head to toe

Matthew Borg

Mar 4th 2008, 09:26

This series of comments continues to become more and more hilarious by the minute.

For those who are pro-Labour, I don't think they saw the footage of the BA Chief accepting JPO as a journalist before the Press Conference started. Of course, One News - the only channel they watch - wouldn't report such a fact... On a sidenote, the spelling and grammar, for the most part, is atrocious as well...

This sentiment of 'PN Provocation' as well baffles me. If JPO was accepted as a journalist by the BA before the conference started, then where is the provocation? Or is trying to get Sant to answer questions a form of being provoked?

The values of Democracy, with the MLP in power, will long be gone; and back with us will be the days of Dictatorship. Of course, people will now argue against this and state that this is a blatant lie, as usual.

C Fenech

Mar 4th 2008, 08:44

I guess this is where we state that the IMJ & the FAA are biased, the scanned document proving the lies is fake, and that we live in heaven on earth !!!

Arrogance............ of course not !!!!!

Leonard Ellul Bonici

Mar 4th 2008, 02:09

this is what I call reality TV, best show this year on TVM after off course "Dejjem tieghek Becky" Hello! Hello!! Has anyone seen Dr Pullicino? I looked everywhere, no trace! No, not Dr Jeffrey..... Dr Geoge Pullicino the Environment Minister. Very sorry for Dr Jeffrey his big brother was not there when needed. But it's ok cause our Priminister-wanna-be backed out of confrontation cause he accuses PN of provocation.Ohhh ...maybe he found a misprint in his Mistra MEPA documents... On a serious note - Dr Alfred Sant campaign is a sequence of 1996 focusing on allegations, some of them might be true but I see no point of changing our Government over just Environmental policies when the economy is doing great and prospects for our country are good. Dear politicians think we deserve much better then this 'sirtu qiskom Duminka u Lela ghand tal-grocer.

Jonathan Mallia

Mar 4th 2008, 00:23

I am a floater. I read that Dr.Sant did well to run out of the room because he is a well educated person from HARVARD. Funny!!!!! I would have said 3 to 4 sentences to freeze Pulicino Orlando's mouth as a HARVARD graduate. I accept the fact that Orlando might have broken the rules. However, a potential Prime Minister have broken ethics as he attacked a person pretending not to be faced back! Is this how OUR Potential Prime minister will start reason out???? I think that even if Orlando is truely corrupt, he did well to chase Dr.Sant to face him as a real civilian.
Apart from this I have advise for Sant. I dont want the next prime minister to talk about change just because there was Nationalists for 20 years in government! Dont laugh at our faces please. Are you to ashamed of mentioning your two years in government????
One last thing for those undecided. I know we have no more options who to vote except Dr.Gonzi who works hard for every single one of us. I wasnt going to vote but when I followed both parties in the campaign it came natural for me to choose PN since they still have ideas and a clear vision although they have spent 20 years in government! As I said, its NOT A CLEAR REASON TO WIN GOVERNMENT BY SAYING THE OTHERS SPENT 20 YEARS, LIKE A BABY CRYING FOR CHOCOLATE BECAUSE HE HAS BEEN WAITING TOO LONG! Think carefully as the crucial day is approaching

Jonathan Mallia

Mar 4th 2008, 00:22

I am a floater. I read that Dr.Sant did well to run out of the room because he is a well educated person from HARVARD. Funny!!!!! I would have said 3 to 4 sentences to freeze Pulicino Orlando's mouth as a HARVARD graduate. I accept the fact that Orlando might have broken the rules. However, a potential Prime Minister have broken ethics as he attacked a person pretending not to be faced back! Is this how OUR Potential Prime minister will start reason out???? I think that even if Orlando is truely corrupt, he did well to chase Dr.Sant to face him as a real civilian.
Apart from this I have advise for Sant. I dont want the next prime minister to talk about change just because there was Nationalists for 20 years in government! Dont laugh at our faces please. Are you to ashamed of mentioning your two years in government????
One last thing for those undecided. I know we have no more options who to vote except Dr.Gonzi who works hard for every single one of us. I wasnt going to vote but when I followed both parties in the campaign it came natural for me to choose PN since they still have ideas and a clear vision although they have spent 20 years in government! As I said, its NOT A CLEAR REASON TO WIN GOVERNMENT BY SAYING THE OTHERS SPENT 20 YEARS, LIKE A BABY CRYING FOR CHOCOLATE BECAUSE HE HAS BEEN WAITING TOO LONG! Think carefully as the crucial day is approaching

Giselle Borg

Mar 3rd 2008, 23:58

Mark Pisani - Don't go telling people about their spelling, before checking yours - I think there are better arguments to validate your point that amending someone's grammar and punctuation.

I agree with you that it was the MLP supporters who were the cause of Malta's dark times in the years '71-'87. And there is concrete PROOF to back up this fact.

FYI - 'where' is spelt 'were' in the context used. '80's' is actually '80s' and 'Ps' is 'P.S.' meaning 'post scriptum'.

Alfred Cassar

Mar 3rd 2008, 23:24

Paola Demicoli told us in her message (6hrs ago) that televised political shows should be of 2 types, I quote:
"1st type:- journalist ask, leader answers....2nd type:- Political debate. "
I say there is a third type: Journalists ask, leader does not answer. This is undoubtedly Dr Sant's preferred type. Don't you think so Ms Demicoli?

P Grech

Mar 3rd 2008, 22:26

I cannot possibly understand how people are blaming Alfred Sant for what happened.
In my opinion he acted in the most professional manner in the face of such imprudence.
Until last week I was uncertain on whether to vote or not but after this farce I will surely vote Labour!!!

D. Cortis

Mar 3rd 2008, 22:20

The election in the first season of 'Saved by the Bell' (early 90's teen TV show) was more serious than the 2008 Malta general election. I never understood why there is a high percentage of voters in Malta. And with comments such as "HAHAHAHA - What a man of courage!!" and "Who's the chicken now?", I am even more bewildered why some of us even bother.

Is this actually an election or is it simply trying to show who's the best?

Why does JPO need to look for direct confrontation? The behavior is of a 17 year old who wants to get back at someone. Simply do a press conference, rebut the claims and ask Dr Sant for a political discussion. If the labour leader does not accept, then JPO should sleep without worries and only then have the right to say that Dr Sant is "afraid of him" (or whatever terms he is using).

On the other hand, if this seems such a clear cut case, why doesn't Sant simply confront this guy? He should have simply make it clear to JPO that he shouldn't be there and this way Sant would have made a much better impression. The written proof seems to be against JPO so why worry? Sant could have simply dedicated a few questions to him and probably also passed a comment such as "this press conference is not about you or your 'dealings'. Now if you think that discussing you is more important than discussing Labour's plans for this country, I would appreciate if you leave the building which you shouldn't be in any case."

But other than these two PMs behavior, I am more amazed by the comments in this thread.

From one hand some are saying that 'Sant chickened out' . Well yes he did but I don't think that the press conference was about JPO. Why should Sant waste time with him? And why are you stating that Sant is a chicken, so what? Is it better to be a chicken or corrupt?

Then others are stating that JPO shouldn't have been there and that Labour saved Mistra. Captain Planet will be thankful. However couldn't Sant have handled JPO's pesky little presence better? He was there after all to answer questions or maybe he simply wants to answer certain questions?

J.SCERRI

Mar 3rd 2008, 22:14

I want to know what kind of leader is Dr. Sant ? First he INSULTS everyone who's not fully loyal to his vision (SEE DOM MINTOFF), throws MUD on his opponents and then he's TERRIFIED to have a FACE TO FACE challange with anyone. Call him COWARD is very reductive now after the FARCE of today. Well Done Dr Pullicino Orlando, with more People like you, all the press conferences of Dr.Sant will end as a marathon !!! And in this topic someone talked about HIJACK !!! Let me give you some examples of REAL HIJACKING : Going to a Mass meeting let's say in Zejtun and you'll see bullets coming to you : THAT'S HIJAKING OF FREEDOM. Let's say the PN wanted to bring their message on XANDIR MALTA and they had to go to Sicily to do so, THAT'S HIJACKING THE INFORMATION SYSTEM. Or getting beaten up only because you have IN-NAZZJON in your hand, am i wrong? And some of the people who were in that govt. those days are MLP candidates ( DAK NEW LABOUR) and the MLP President then is today's leader !!!

Byron Camilleri

Mar 3rd 2008, 21:43

Jeffry Pulucino Orlando wanted to stay in the press conference even when the chairman of the Broadcasting Authority asked him to leave. This is how future minister, if pn are elected, would react? Going against the laws?

David Farrugia

Mar 3rd 2008, 20:17

Pullicino Orlando can explain all he can through various channels. He can call on a press conference himself (if his party allows him). However he wants confrontation, provocation, hijack. Following his blunder with his pristine Mistra land, all he needs now to sink his boat is show us his meaning of democracy though this morning's charade.

joseph Borg

Mar 3rd 2008, 20:16

Dear friends

Jpo has just been check mated by Dr Alfred sant. I cant see how he can get out of this.

Ruben Baldacchino

Mar 3rd 2008, 20:11

Dear Mr. Nicky Attard, if you know the Maltese law well you should know that a referendum is not legally binding, whereas the Labour Party had it's right not toabide by it, especially if one considers one of the MLP claims that the question asked in the referendum was not a fair one, as it did not incorporate the MLP choice. Still I did not agree with the MLP stand after the referendum, where it claimed it had won. What I cannot understand is why a lot of people know that JPO should not have been there in the press conference (obviously to gain political advantage not only for PN but also against other PN candidates as he would get unfair media coverage). Dr. Sant was right to go out as if he accepted to do the press conference when he knew there were irreguralities, it would have meant he would have accepted it. Whereas one sees the other face of the coin, we all should really see if we have to be beleive that JPO does not know what's happening in his lands. Let's try not to be colour minded but try to be open for discussion and not see a blatant case of breaking the law and turn that person into a hero. I respect the opinion of everyone but I tend to disagree that JPO has turned a hero, only, because he broke the law as he was not supposed to be there. He'd rather not lost any time and give a clear explanation why the Green Politician of the Year has given good agricultural land for commercial purposes and in an ODZ zone. I'm sorry but PN has lost it's credibility in two weeks when it comes to environment.

Gianni Portavino

Mar 3rd 2008, 20:10

Well done Dr. Sant for not falling for GPO's arrogant and bullying provocation. Alfred Sant presented facts, documented. I think we are intelligent enough to eveluate them ourselves. If we find the documents presented are 'tajn', as GPO states, we ignore them. No need to change profession, Goeffrey. I'm sure a dentist is a better profession, with all due respect for journalists. But hey, journalists studied hard to become journalists too. They did not become journalists from day to night. Shame on the DOI for issuing the journalist tag. I'd be offended if I were a journalist myself. Thank you Goeffrey but no thank you. We've had enough of this arrogance. You have all the media to defend yourself. We will decide ourselves. Barking, shouting, and acting like a spoilt brat make you look no better.

Joyce Borg

Mar 3rd 2008, 20:08

Well done J.Mifsud! That is the attitude other floaters like you should take. There is no better alternative to the Nationalist party. The labour party are not as yet ready to run our country, even though they have been in oppostion for so long!

v cassar

Mar 3rd 2008, 19:52

so now we know that Sant only throws mud behind the back of his target. it says a lot about the man.

Edward Darmanin

Mar 3rd 2008, 19:36

Mudflinging nearly works. But just nearly. I for one began to believe Sant's accusations against JPO. After all, nothing is impossible. But then... why is it turning out to be Alfred Sant who is running away from JPO. JPO is brandishing no guns or weapons. The only thing he is carrying in his hands are documents and answers, what he thinks and hopes will prove his point. So now we all ask... what are YOU running away from, Dr Sant???? Has the dirt hit the fan this time round?

Mark Bonello

Mar 3rd 2008, 19:35

Wow,..........and can you immagine Dr.sant behaving likewise in the presence of co european journalists from other countries in the EU........or even a a politician with a different ideal than his.......oh yes, investment would continue to flow into our economy, oh yes and tourists would continue to swarm our little Island. Well done Dr. Sant, keep it up whatever your inexplicable theory once again!

Edward Mifsud

Mar 3rd 2008, 19:34

Congratulations! Dr Pullicino Orlando for your new job as pseudo-JOURNALIST.

You are behaving like a kid. Whoever is giving you the advice to behave like this is damaging your image further. It would have been better to adopt the usual nationalist strategy of SHUTTING UP.

You are seriously risking your seat in parliament and it would really be a shame. Please, stop you are one of the PN's best people.

It's no drama to admit your mistake.

John Schembri

Mar 3rd 2008, 19:34

By not voting PN we can have him Prime Minister on the Ides of March , with the help of AD voters and the Socialists of Malta. On Saturday Dr Sant outwitted JPO , today JPO behaved well an in a very assertive and civilised way showed us who is in the right. On Saturday Dr Sant only made innuendoes ( Ghaddew il-flus) which were on the verge of libelous . he only hinted corruption .

Kevin Chircop

Mar 3rd 2008, 19:28

Dear J.Mifsud, you're as credible of being a floating voter as JPO stating that he doesn't know the person to whom he rented his land and had an informal agreement or as credible as Gonzipn stating that the Introduction of Healthcare Costs was never discussed at cabinet level.

And by the way, look at what a pitiful state this government has brought us to: JPO is a
1) Dentist
2) Hon. member of the parliament
3) Part Time Farmer
4) and now Part Time journalist
5) Aspiring to be a deejay at Mistra!!

Kif tista' ma tidhaqx!!!!

David Martinelli

Mar 3rd 2008, 19:25

Well done Dr. Pullicino Orlando.

If Dr. Sant is able to throw mud at Dr. Pullicino Orlando, then he has a right to defend himself to counter those actions. If it means by showing up at a Labour press conference, then Dr. Orlando has every right too.

Dr. Sant walking out of the press conference shows that his arguments lack substance; that he is not a credible leader who plays cat and mouse games every time he throws mud to his opponents.

The real change need to come from the Labour leadership itself!!

E.Pace

Mar 3rd 2008, 19:21

To Robert Zammit
You are right!
To all the others who think that Dr. Sant is throwing mud, you can go yourselves @ Mepa and ask for the famous Mistra File and see for yourselves if Dr JPO knew all about this application. You can confirm if the certifcate of ownership was sent to him or not, and then you will know who is saying the truth. Well done Dr. Sant !

C Falzon

Mar 3rd 2008, 19:20

I think the floating voters like J Mifsud should think before they decide to vote and should ask some questions to themselves like:

Why Dr. Sant does not want a direct confrontation with Dr Pullicino Orlando?

Why Dr. Sant spent half of yesterday's meeting with accusations and today he just went out and said nothing?

Why Dr. Sant is using this game? Is this what we call mature politics? I need to know the plans for the next five years and not these accusations cause I'll earn my living if the country will be in the right direction in the next five years.

An y yes I want to know if there is corruption, BUT with a prove and not just allegations.

So please I pretend more maturity.

saviour magro

Mar 3rd 2008, 19:11

whats the problem Dr.JPO?why you are so frastrated.? ahhh i see looking forward for a ministry? thats the whole truth i think, but listen you dont have to worry for that because in a few days time you'r g'n be a minister, probbaly a shadow one. by the way you know that no one is above the rules and law and now a day's you have all the facilities to proove yourself if there was somthing wrong or not .for me this is arrogance and i can't accepted for the democracy of this country,DO you know that we are in 2008?and it's not even fair for Ms.Amanda Ciappara who had been familiar with us and doing her work quit good for this last month.this was her last time to ask inteligent questions to Dr.sant at prime time it was the cherry on the cake for her. you know the expression in maltese (mela jiena hu ta zejjed u nieqes?)what do u think Amanda?

A. Bugeja

Mar 3rd 2008, 19:01

A very simple question to ask: Did JPO had the right to be there in the first place, given that the BA laws provide that no candidate pose as a journalist for a press conference (not a political debate)?

The answer is a straight forward NO. So why did JPO insist to stay there? Is he above the law?The BA is formed by the constitution... So is he above the Constitution? It's a shame that the PN allow such a person on their ballot paper. Sorry PN, you lost my vote, and my trust.

will rizzo

Mar 3rd 2008, 18:46

as a first time voter this is something that continues to urge me to vote for pn. as many other first time voters and previou voters i wasnt sure for whom to vote since this time around there wasnt any real important issue like that of the previous election, with the eu question. this time it was just the parties program that would convince ppl.

as a student i was present at university, and every question asked to Dr Sant we were given an answer totaly irellavent to the question....does Dr Sant think we'r stupid?? and answering many labaour supporters that the debate was set up by the nationalist, i say it wasnt, because having been involved in student politics in jc and having been member of pulse, which is bdw a labour student party saw that half the hall was dominized by the pulse supporters and having a go at Dr Gonzi aswell. so ok it was unethical how we students went on to show our reaction, but wer students and not to have a good fire burning in our hearts now to fight what we belive in, what will we do when we'r 50yrs old, lay down and have our politicians do what ever they please without question??

after todays event between jpo and sant i'm fully convinced that gonzi pn is the only way since there is no other valid alternative.

and i realy belived that the only way is up for the labour party, but Dr Sant has proven otherwis!!

A CALLEJA

Mar 3rd 2008, 18:46

just saw film of what happened on net tv.

thank god for my convictions. true, i had my doubts about voting pn or not at all, but believe me, seeing all this crap has hardened my resolution. yes i will vote pn once again.

well done jeffrey - show alfred san t our stanch pride, stand up for your rights and our rights. yes, even i was beaten up when i was only 13 outside my school.

PEOPLE, PLS VOTE WITH YR BRAINS NOT WITH YOUR HEARTS. LETS NOT REGRESS OVER 20 YRS INTO THE DARK AGES

Mark Pisani

Mar 3rd 2008, 18:30

Michael Catania: "Are we seeing a repetitionof 1980's. In those days the MLP was blamed for it but we know better to-day" These comments are what worry us - how can anyone say that the PN where to blame for what we endured in the 80's. Mr. Catania - you make us sick. Ps. if you people want arrogance: repetion is spelt repetition and today is spelt without the -, I would advise you would run a spell check before posting a comment.

Jeremy Buttigieg

Mar 3rd 2008, 18:21

Is this the way how to achieve better standards of living? By accusing others for what they haven't done. It seems that Dr Sant is the same.. nothing new from him since 1996.. same ideas, same opinons.. No Regrets, VOTE PN!

James De Giorgio

Mar 3rd 2008, 18:19

Why did Sant ask the police to intervene and escort JPO out of the conference is beyond me.And he isn't even in power.. yet! First he rubbishes students, then he mudslings left right and centre, now he wants to order the police to evict his political opponents!

Frederick Attard

Mar 3rd 2008, 18:16

Yes to confirm what has already been written by Mr. Andrew Sciberras and in reply to Ms. Corinne Vella, I do confirm that Mr. John Spiteri Gingell had withdrawn his candidacy in preparation to take up a more important post within the party executive post-election.

Mr. Spiteri Gingell was to participate in the B.A.'s debate as AN's news editor. He will now do so tomorrow.

Frederick Attard
AN Campaign Manager

Christopher Vella

Mar 3rd 2008, 18:09

In a country where everyone bends the rules and everyone gets away with anything, I can't believe the BA first accepted JPA and then changed its mind and decided he could not be in there, just because of political pressure. Stop the mud-slinging Labour !

Jeffrey Tabone

Mar 3rd 2008, 18:08

Why didn't Alfred Sant face him? Why did he walk out?

I'm a floater, was thinking about voting MLP, but I won't now. Will do maybe once Dr Sant is replaced.

Maria Dolores Fenech

Mar 3rd 2008, 18:01

1. JPO BUYS LAND (MEASURING A THIRD OF A FOOTBALL GROUND) FOR LM12000 (WOW)!
2. He rents it for free to someone he doesn’t even know!
3. This someone he doesn’t even know applies(illegally) for permits from MEPA to build a disco without the owner’s prior consent and gets the permits!
4. JPO defends this application saying that even the MTA, the Commission for disabled persons etc approved of this development!
5. Then JPO calls for withdrawal of this application
6. JPO cries in front of PN supporters to gain their sympathy
7. JPO, illegally (again) turned up among the journalists and stayed put even when he knew he had no right to be there.

Round about turn! This is the kind of ARROGANCE the floaters are voting against next Saturday, because Malta has had enough of this government. Vote MLP

Eve Bajadae

Mar 3rd 2008, 17:59

You People totally amaze me .The man should not have even been in the meeting .Why was this allowed a joke !!!!!!! Mr Sant was right not to lower himself to OPs level .

Charles Saliba

Mar 3rd 2008, 17:52

The footage shown on Net TV shows clearly the Broadcasting Authority had initially accepted JPO`s presence in the press conference. It was only after Alfred Sant refused to continue throwing mud in the presence of his victim that the BA suddenly remembered it`s own rules. And it seems that one of the journalists seated in the studio awaiting the start of the press conference happens to be an AD candidate. JPO tried all weekend to confront AS to clear his name as he has every right to do. Suing him for libel will not clear his name before the elections as everyone knows that such cases usually take a long time to decide. Dr Sant`s behaviour in all this saga is a blatant proof that he is unable to substantiate his allegations if his intended victims are present to prove otherwise.

Charles Caruana

Mar 3rd 2008, 17:44

Can anybody inform the general public, why Dr Alfred Sant is so afraid of facing Dr J. Pullicino Orlando and say the truth, the whole truth and nothing else but the truth.

Elaine Zammit

Mar 3rd 2008, 17:40

Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando has been running after Dr. Sant since Thursday in the hope that he would get him to accuse him of corruption to his face. Sant has done everything to avoid him, particularly on Saturday.

Now he won't even face him in a controlled environment, like these badly stage Broadcasting Authority interviews.

It's not like JPO was going to shoot him at close range. He was only after two questions. To me, it goes to show that MLP's case against JPO is far from watertight.

Mark Agius

Mar 3rd 2008, 17:36

Guys, I am no fan of Alfred Sant ....far from it....However in my view JPO was way out of line. If he wanted to ask a question/questions he could have forwarded these to PN leaning or Independent journalists. If I were Alfred Sant I would probably have done the same to avoid a hijacking of my press conference HOWEVER I would ensure that I would meet in public to respond to the questions from JPO in a meeting / press conference specifically on the subject. Sorry Jeff but this time your nerves got the better of you.

A final note to David Thake, who might remember me from many years ago........if you vote AD you will get AD......and with it a much better way of doing politics.

Daniel Frendo

Mar 3rd 2008, 17:35

Dr.Sant is definately afraid of Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando.

D.Georgio

Mar 3rd 2008, 17:18

I have never voted because there is not much to choose from in Malta but I will vote for the first time in my life this year. I am afraid of Alfred Sant being a Prime Minister. I'm sorry but Labour deserve a better leader.

mark vella

Mar 3rd 2008, 17:15

Finally the mud that Dr. Alfred Sant is slinging has returned back to his own face. Well done! He cannot continue to try to taint his opponents and then shun away from them on every occasion. Perhaps he now starts REGRETTING his policy of mudslinging for the only purpose of obtaining votes

Sarah Scerri

Mar 3rd 2008, 17:15

I just watched the footage of this on the tv. Jason Micallef had the cheek to say that JPO's presence was not acceptable because Dr. Sant would be referring to JPO in the same press conference!

I can't believe that the man is such a chicken.

I the case that Sant built against JPO is so rock solid, than he should just have set there and answered to the two questions that JPO would have been allowed to fire at him.

By walking out he was only proving that this so called Mistra scandal is another damp squib.

Manuel Camilleri

Mar 3rd 2008, 17:15

Accuses PN of provocation? what a cheek! Provocation is making accusations at people and then having no decency to substantiate them when confronted. it is easy to call press conferences where you can say anything and refuse to answer the questions that are not comfotable to answer. This is the same AS who refused to take part on NET TV, unlike Dr. Gonzi who went to Super 1 studios and was interviewed by a sole journalist on a number of issues. The journalist asked a series of questions and Dr. Gonzi answered. If AS has nothing to hide and he has "proof" and other "documents" he should have accepted the challenge. and these things do not happen in Russia! They happen in countries where freedom of expression is sacred and upheld.

Martin Zammit

Mar 3rd 2008, 17:13

As a floating voter, I am one of the few that were listening and watching with interest both Gonzi and Sant during this election campaign. But this action from Sant really left a bad impression on me as only last week, he was repeatedly stating that he would take responsibility of any investigations on corruption allegations and not the Police Commissioner or anybody else. My question is how Sant can investigate when he cannot even face the accused, especially when he is making the accusation himself?

daryl ebejer

Mar 3rd 2008, 17:12

well!!! imagine if I turned up to a PRESS conference,uninvited! i would most probably be asked to leave.if i refuse I would probably be "forced" to leave by the police.The fact that the person involved happens to be an Mp does not mean that the rules should be broken.being an MP does not give you the right to break the rules............or does it now ??

ALBERT FENECH

Mar 3rd 2008, 17:10

Dr. Pullicino Orlando is not a credited journalist. Over the last week we have learnt he is a landowner and a wannabe disco-owner, but he is NOT a journalist. GonziNP General Secretary said that other electoral candidates and MP's had attended such Press Conferences in the past. I can think of two - the late Pawlu Carachi and Freddie Portelli. However, these were professional, full-time, trade journalists and not dentists or wannabe disc-owners. In Maltese we have an expression to describe Dr. Pullicino Orlando - "kesahlu". The nearest equivalent I can find is a loutish bully. He has now even put himself ABOVE the ruling of the Chairman of the Broadcasting Authority. How about that for flouting democracy?

Paola Demicoli

Mar 3rd 2008, 17:08

To the PN supports who are saying that Sant chickened out... when they don't have a clue how televised political shows should happen.

!st type:- journalist ask, leader answers
2nd type:- Political debate.

This was 1st type, not second. Therefore Candidates where not allowed to trun this into a political debate. If Jeffrey wanted to have a political debate he could have asked for one. BUT HE HAS NOT THE RIGHT TO CHANGE A TYPE ! SHOW INTO A TYPE 2 SHOW.

PN's AROGANCE HAS NO LIMIT!!!

Andrew Grech

Mar 3rd 2008, 17:07

No in their right mind would stand up to such matter and in such manner, if he was not 100% clean. Dr. Sant's reaction to such a corageous confrontation from JPO, proves nothing but a deceiving and mud slinging campaign that MLP is promoting.

Wally Vella-Zarb

Mar 3rd 2008, 17:05

It is amusing to see how ‘mud’ and ‘mud-slinging’ seem to have become the new buzz-words for the GonziPN apologists; this after years of systematic character assassination directed at Dr Sant! The current GonziPN spots are nothing more than a nauseating strategy that, surprisingly for GonziPN – but not for floaters – has backfired!

GonziPN is now at such a low level of confidence that they are offering Jeffrey Pullicino Orland as a sacrificial lamb in a desperate attempt to try and stanch the massive number of people who are disillusioned with them.

The hysterical invocation of such appellations as ‘chicken’ and ‘running away’ I find too puerile for words. It is clearly indicative of young minds that are not yet mature enough to understand that GonziPN has no God-given right to disregard the rules of the BA authority.

If the rules say that if you are a candidate for the elections you cannot be a journalist at a press conference, then that is the end of the story. Pushing JPO forward is one more attempt that hopes to provoke Dr Sant. The MLP will not fall for that.

Poor Dr Jeffrey! You really WERE a nice guy!

Victor Laiviera

Mar 3rd 2008, 17:04

Pullicino Orlando wants a big fight and screaming match on TV hoping to win on emotion because he knows he cannot win on facts.

What deos he want to say face-ro-face that he cannot say, for example - in a press conference?

And the fact that JPO and the PN expected the BA to bend the rules to accomodate them show the level of arrogance that this administration has reached.

clive demicoli

Mar 3rd 2008, 17:03

Following the Labour Party's debacle in the EU referendum and the election in 2003, few people in Labour wanted Alfred Sant as their leader. After today's blatant display of lack of political spine who can blame them!

C. Borg

Mar 3rd 2008, 17:02

Why are many accusing Sant for what he did. I think he did the right thing? Why did JPO went for this press conference when he is an election candidate and as BA states, he can't be present at such conference? this is all provocation from PN.

Joseph Castillo

Mar 3rd 2008, 17:01

This electoral campaign focused only on two politicians who aspire to become Prime Minister. In fact NP chose GONZIPN featuring Dr. Gonzi on the billboards and Mass Meetings.

Therefore in view of an electoral strategy, Dr Sant behaved correctly not to confront JPO. In today's modern politics it is up to the Prime Minister to convince the electorate that JPO is still a valid candidate.

On a lighter note, I wonder how Mr Pullicino (MEPA Minister) is feeling right now

david bugeja

Mar 3rd 2008, 17:00

what's all this!? someone goes into an official press conference uninvited,is ordered off and refuses.if I or anyone else had done that he would have been thrown out!!! being an MP does not give you the right to bend or break rules!!....or does it?

Paul Caruana

Mar 3rd 2008, 16:59

Can anyone imagine Zapatero, Gordon Brown, Veltroni or any other European social democratic party leader act in this way? Hasn't the Labour Party had enough of this man? Our country deserves better.

Corinne Vella

Mar 3rd 2008, 16:57

Joseph Curmi: Did I read that correctly? Dr Sant calls a press conference to address PN members? He calls press conferences to avoid them.

M Debono

Mar 3rd 2008, 16:53

Complete and utter SHAMEFULL from both sides.

JPO knows full well that he should not be there and Dr Sant had the chance of a life time to hammer JPO, assuming Dr Sant was correct in his accusations.

In my opinion if Dr Sant aspires to be our next PM than he should have stood his ground and face the challange... BYE BYE Dr Sant, I will never vote for your party if you do not have the guts to raise up to a minor challange, let alone the big challanges within the next few years.

Lets face it, this proves without any shawdow of a douth that Dr Sant's strategy is really just throwing mud.

J. Degiorgio

Mar 3rd 2008, 16:52

If JPO really wants a confrontation with Alfred Sant, he has to do it through other means. Interrupting a press conference which is meant to deal with another completely unrelated issue is unacceptable to say the least. If JPO wants to say something face to face to Dr Sant, he has a right, but ONLY at the right place and the right time. Wasting Dr Sant's time allocated for a completely different issue and breaching the rules of the Broadcasting Authority is not the way to do things. What JPO should do is ask Dr Sant's aides to arrange a press conference/debate where the two can talk about the Mistra scandal issue. If JPO does this and for the sake of argument, Dr Sant has the time to do it but refuses for no good reason, then it's up to him and he'll have to face the music. However, this has not happened. As it is, JPO is acting very irresponsibly and further tarnishing his credentials. When the chairman of the BA asked him to leave, JPO should have gotten up and left. He didn't and so Dr Sant's reaction was justified and ideal in the circumstance.

Vincent Camilleri

Mar 3rd 2008, 16:44

This is not a question of throwing mud. Dr Sant and the Labour Party saved Mistra and its protected environment. The environmental NGO Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA) said that the outline development permit issued by Mepa for a nightclub at Mistra is an outrage and Alternattiva Demokratika chairman Harry Vassallo expressed disappointment at what he termed Nationalist candidate Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando's involvement in the "obscene" Mistra development case. Are these throwing mud too?
If this is the case There must be a lot of mud lying around.

If the Broadcasting Authority Chairman ruled that Dr Pullicino Orlando had no right to be at the press conference he should have reft. Disrespect for authority is arrogance

J.Mifsud

Mar 3rd 2008, 16:42

Well done Dr Pullicino Orlando.

I am one that on the 8th of March decide to vot for MLP (floater not mlp fan) but now I decide to change my opinion and I am going to vote PN.

Dr Sant is not the right person to vote because it is not the right way to win votes from floaters.

THROWING MUD on people and when people come to defend there names Dr SANT walks out from the studios.

FLOATERS THINK BEFORE YOU DECIDE WHOM ARE YOU GOING TO VOTE !!!!!!!

Robert Zammit

Mar 3rd 2008, 16:41

It is a fact that by law a tenant has to inform the owner of any applications to change the use of property let to him, so rather than run after Alfred Sant like an idiot why doesn't JPO go after his tenants and sue them for having put him in such an uncomfortable position. I would !!! It's only because he knew all the way ! Only if he institutes legal proceedings against his tenants will we be able to believe JPO !!!

m farrugia

Mar 3rd 2008, 16:40

prosit JPO
that's what Dr Sant needs
someone to stop him from throwing false accusations and
forcing him to state what he intends doing if elected to improve on the great progress registered by our country, especially since joining the EU

Something he has failed miserably to do - he must have listened to Dr Gonzi's press conference of this morning, as an example

Kuragg! Is-sewwa jerga jirbah zgur! Keep it up JOP

Edward Cassar

Mar 3rd 2008, 16:38

Yesterday he cried, today he crashed into a press conference where only journalists were supposed to be. He tried to hijack an opportunity where true journalists put forward relevant questions. Pathetic! If he wanted to put across his version of the facts he had a TV station broadcasting 24 hours a day (NET TV), a radio station doing the same (Radio 101), a newspaper (in-Nazzjon) and a website (Maltarightnow). Everybody who got criticised in this campaign replied in kind in the media and not with these theatrics. But no, JPO wants to be above the rules. He can't fathom he was caught and publicly reprimanded, not by the MLP, but by the NGOs like Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar, full of Nationalist environmentalists. Whether he was caught napping while others wanted to get rich over his back with the discotheque or whether he was party to this environmental defacation is just a detail in this case. Come one, grow up Jef!

joseph dimech

Mar 3rd 2008, 16:37

So typical of labour, the minute they are swimming against the flow they claim foul play. This is a case of a right for legitimate defense in a level playfield, but of course Alfred Sant is not used to these conditions. Well done JPO for demonstrating audacity to clear your name. Dr Sant seems to have ended up with egg on the face or should i say a whole omelette.

Andrew Sciberras

Mar 3rd 2008, 16:30

For the information of Corinne Vella, Mr Gingell who was at the press conference had previously withdrawn his candidacy in the upcoming elections which is why he was allowed to stay on at the conference. Check your facts before you speak Ms Vella.

vince grech

Mar 3rd 2008, 16:30

yes, actually any one can obtain an outline permit, even without the consent of the owner of the land in question. Mepa could issue anyone with a permit,in this case, an outline permit only and than its up to the developer to see that he doesn't encroach on third party rights. In this case (jpo) would have had to seek redress against the developer because as he is saying he knew nothing about the ouline permit.At least that's what JPO wants us to believe.

Attard S

Mar 3rd 2008, 16:27

Pullicino Orlando's arrogance is just a taste of what it will be like under the Nationalist Party if they get elected again. This time round I shall not vote Nationalist. Enough is Enough

Stephen Muscat

Mar 3rd 2008, 16:27

First a dentist, an election candidate, a part time farmer...NOW: A JOURNALIST ?? Incredible!

m farrugia

Mar 3rd 2008, 16:23

prosit jpo, you stopped dr sant from throwing more unfounded accusations and chickening it out

instead of telling us how he intends improving on progress registered by country in education, jobs, environment , helping working mothers etc. etc.

we're all behind you so that truth prevails again next saturday, keep it up

Gordon Borg

Mar 3rd 2008, 16:21

"The only way is mine" - that is the real Dr. Sant's slogan. Either we do it his way or else we do not work.

I cannot understand why he is afraid of confrontation. As a Maltese citizen I want to see all facts and not come to a conclusion based on one's person claim.

Democracy gave us such space to confront one another with substantion arguments and therefore Dr. Sant has to confront such issues now that he made them public.

joseph n borg

Mar 3rd 2008, 16:20

irrespective whether JPO sould have been there - does anyone think that if Sant had the chance to spin this his way in front of all , he would not have??

Mark Bonello

Mar 3rd 2008, 16:19

'Min-naħa tiegħu Pullicino Orlando kompla jisfida lil Alfred Sant biex jaffrontah iżda Sant baqa' ma tax każ.' This is an excrept from the www.maltarightnow.com website! The PN official online journal. It clearly states that JPO was challenging ('jisfida') Dr. Sant. In a press conference if i'm not mistaken the journalists should pose their questions than stand down and wait for the guest to answer their question and not to challenge ('jisfida') the guest! This sort of 'journalism' is done in the Jerry Springer Show and not in a BA press conference.

And by the way there needs to be no further proof that Dr. Sant was right, the one that proved Dr. Sant right was none other than JPO himself when yesterday after crying like a child he said that he had contacted the person who is renting the land (previously unknown to him) and asked him to stop the application to develop the site! So JPO realised that he had now been caught red handed and therefore wanted to look good and try to regain some credibility by stopping the development! Shame on you JPO! Shame on you GonziPN!

Anthony Mizzi

Mar 3rd 2008, 16:16

A very good show..in arrogance by JPO and an excellent show in ethics , professionalism with the due respect needed for the occastion.

Is this the way one goes and submits applications at MEPA, where it appears that permits are issued where these should not?

This was no act of cowarice by Dr. Sant but the diplomatic way to act in such circumstances, in a gentlemanly and unprovocative manner. A show of class by Dr. Sant, sadly lacking by JPO.

Joseph Mifsud

Mar 3rd 2008, 16:15

Dr Sant you can run but you cannot hide!! Why are you so afraid to answer JPO's questions? Seems that you are hiding something!

Nicky Attard

Mar 3rd 2008, 16:14

Yes Rueben, respect democracy in the way your leader respected it in the referendum...Seems to me most of you labourites have such a short memory...Vote labour, get Sant! Wonderful!

A Cordina

Mar 3rd 2008, 16:14

Alfred Sant campaign is focused on allegations and mud slinging. I am surprised how come he is afraid of facing an MP. I'm disappointed with Sant's attitude and thus, is not worth a Castille seat...once again!

Ivan Borg

Mar 3rd 2008, 16:13

How come JPO forgot to cry today ... get alive man, if you are a kind of person who do not know to whom you rent on Saturday and on Sunday you stop the guy from ruining Mistra, can we believe YOU ... now apart from trying to get again the hot seat in parliament you are acting as a journalist! It shows that Dr Sant is not that kind of person to fall for it ... not the right of place to argue about if you have anything to argue about ...

Dr. Clive Aquilina Spagnol

Mar 3rd 2008, 16:11

How come Dr Gonzi is allowing such shameful acts to happen? So true that in election times we come to accept everything.....JPO ridiculed it all!

J Amato-Gauci

Mar 3rd 2008, 16:11

So AS sulks and walks out, like a kid who doesn't get his way on the playground. What a poor show...but i didn't expext anymore from a man who walked out on an interview with the Times, and just lately from an interview with Lou Bondi. Plus ca change....!

Jeff Dimech

Mar 3rd 2008, 16:08

JPO showed all the Maltese people the meaning of being arrogant, the case is at the law courts I presume. If you made a mistake say sorry, but don't try to play with people's feelings when crying, and don't provoke and try to advertise yourself by attending to a press conference when we all know its a place for journalists and not a candidate.

Paul Galea

Mar 3rd 2008, 16:07

The BA cannot permit and then retract because of pressure . All Labour does is trowing mud and running away . I said it then I am right attitude . Like 10 yrs ago .

Geoffrey Ghigo

Mar 3rd 2008, 16:07

BA should stick to the law and another press conference organised asap.

dennis attard

Mar 3rd 2008, 16:06

It is very obvious that Sant with his Macchiavellian tactics has built up a campaign of mudslinging and character assassination. Today was his opportunity to face a person who he alleged to have committed a wrongdoing and answer directly.
It is incredible that readers are not interested in substance but the end justifies the means.....Sant's last chance to get to power, irrespective of content and preparation.
If Sant does get there, we're in for tough times. He is already changing versions on utility bills realizing that oil is not $12 a barrel. He has changed versions on his reception class fiasco illustrating a messy picture of ill-preparedness for the position he hopes for.
When the dust settles, it is us who qwill have to bear the brunt of an incapable government tyhat would be Labour.

Guzeppi Grech

Mar 3rd 2008, 16:05

I feel really sorry and sympathise with J. Pullicino Orlando.
He must be so tired, poor lamb. What with being a dentist, MP, Part-time farmer, sea-farer, and journalist, he must be exhausted.
Shame on Gonzipn they are working the guy to death. No wonder he started crying yesterday, poor thing. Thank god AS walked out, he might have made him cry again. Give the guy a break, let him rest for five years.

Joe Galea

Mar 3rd 2008, 16:04

Dear GonziPN apologists, you have to see the declarations made by BA that JPO was there against the law.
Let's vote for those who break the law. JPO we vote for you for promising that you will destroy Mistra and wherever else. We hate Green. Let's build Buskett too. why not? We will vote JPO for breaking the law and for provocating. Y

Tony Cilia Pisani

Mar 3rd 2008, 16:03

If Jeffrey is clean he should ignore Dr. Sant and continue canvassing for Saturday"s election.....if on the other hand he wants to tell one and all that he got hooked, then he should adopt other measures.....he knows how to proceed.....but for heavens stop crying... it will not get you anywhere!!!

Fredrick Aguis

Mar 3rd 2008, 16:02

Dear David Magri,


Dr Sant had all the chances in the world to say his facts in front of JPO in front of the journalists and show him the real facts. But NO. he ran away.... So it is true that Dr Sant is just throwing mud and nothing else????

If Dr Sant was right he would have gone to the police. He didn't. he didn't even face JPO.
Is this our prospective PM??

David Thake

Mar 3rd 2008, 16:02

Guys.... Guys... come on!

So taking questions from a person whose political career you have just tried to destroy is "an act of provocation"?

It seems like Sant's reaction to the "hamalli" students was not an isolated incident after all.

Its all very nice to speak to the Party Faithful who will drink up every word that you say... but face a hostile audience or the object of your allegations? Nooooooo!

Unfortunately for AD, I cannot consider voting for AD in this election. Vote Harry... Get Alfred.

Not in my book.

Joseph Grech

Mar 3rd 2008, 16:02

It is really a shame that a person portraying himself as future prime minister tries to shut up journalists, students and what not.

amanda portelli

Mar 3rd 2008, 16:02

Bet everyone would have done like Pullicino Orlando cause if someone accused me of something I would face him and he did so Alfred Sant challenged Pullicino Orlando and he accepted it and I truly admire him for doing so.

Nikol Sammut

Mar 3rd 2008, 16:01

JPO has done nothing wrong, he has every right to be there and should not be asked to leave. This just proves that Alfred Sant wrongly accused JPO of being corrupt and thus is scared to mention the issue when JPO is present. There is no other sensible reason why Alfred Sant would ask him to leave otherwise. Secondly we also have yet another false accusation by Sant. He accuses PN of provocation. Where is the provocation? As mentioned earlier JPO has done nothing wrong and just wants to defend himself against false and desperate accusations made about him by Sant, who clearly seems to be running out of issues to raise in his electoral campaign. What ludicrous accusation will he come up with next?

T Gauci

Mar 3rd 2008, 15:59

Dr Sant only plays by his own rules - he has finally met his match! Good for you Jeffrey - you cannot throw mud and smirk and not expect a backlash!

Andrew Ellul

Mar 3rd 2008, 15:59

Dear Reuben, the democracy you sol ovingly quote would have demanded that Alfred Sant confronts JPO and answers any questions put forward by JPO. Alfred Sant could have easily accepted the challenge, after all the circumstances where in his favour since JPO only had 30 seconds to make his question and Alfred Sant had 5 mins to answer. However Alfred Sant decided to give up. Well done!

M. Ellis

Mar 3rd 2008, 15:58

1) JPO is an accredited journalist therefore he had the right to be there.
2) If I was Dr. Sant and was absolutly sure of my insinuations, I would have no problem in facing JPO on TV
3) Dr. Sant et al, should start providing solid supporting evidance (Solid being the keyword here). They are playing with peoples lives and reputations, and no matter the political colour, I like to think of the maltese as having some form of moral understanding that all are innocent until proven guilty without reasonable doubt!

Marie Claudine Amato

Mar 3rd 2008, 15:58

Jeffrey didn't have any right to be there? Who are we kidding? He did right. Isn't Sant throwing mud at him!!! Why didn't he face him and throw the proof he says he has in front of him instead of running away?

Joseph Curmi

Mar 3rd 2008, 15:57

These are things which I thought happen only in Russia.

How can Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando think that he can overrule the Broadcasting Authority and stay there.

Its a pity that PN are allowing a junior candidate to ruin their reputation. I've seen the NET footage and the way Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando was talking to the leader of the Opposition was nothing short of shocking.

If JPO wants to address Dr Sant he should do a press conference, like Dr Sant (and other politicians) did when he wanted to address PN members.

Shouting and provoking confrontation in a place the BA ruled he shouldn't be there is not the European, democratic, modern way of doing things.

It seems PN worked hard to boast how European it was last election, this time round, they look forgot about their European democracy beliefs.

A Darmanin

Mar 3rd 2008, 15:56

it is irrelevant whether JPO had the right or not to attend. the reality is, and everyone out there, deeply inside oneself knows, that when somebody tries to corner you in front of a group of people, your best revenge would be to answer back in front of those people. now, AS tried to accuse JPO of something which seems quite clear that JPO did not commit, thus trying to get revenge in front of all Malta. If AS had the guts, he would send the authority flying and show his manly behaviour and getting the respective proof.

Mark Camilleri

Mar 3rd 2008, 15:55

Iam a PN voter and don't know the rules on who can attend and who cannot but if JPO didn't have the right to be there than ok he did wrong.

but Alfred Sant here had the chance to win the election for MLP because if really is 100% sure and has proof that JPO is corrupt that he could have confronted him and destroyed his political career as well as the chance of PN getting re-elected.

So if JPO was wrong in going there Sant was even more wrong by chickening out.

the last debate between Sant and Gonzi is really looking as a mouthwatering event now. bring on thursday!!! :)

M.Aquilina

Mar 3rd 2008, 15:54

James De Giorgio. You said I can't read properly. It clearly states that the Broadcasting Authority officials said he had no right to be there. (JPO)

PBS is not NET. Trying to turn a press conference into a debate. CHEAP.

Kurt Vella

Mar 3rd 2008, 15:53

To Mr.MArk Bonello : 'the BA chief executive had initially accepted to have Pullicino Orlando at the press conference but the authority changed its decision after a hurried meeting at the PBS offices'

J Bugeja

Mar 3rd 2008, 15:53

If Dr Sant is so conviced of JPO's guilt, why does he keep avoiding JPO? We have the right to know the truth.

Andrew Busuttil

Mar 3rd 2008, 15:53

This goes to show how unfounded all the allegations are.
Sant is unable to face JPO, for the obvious reason that he cannot match up to him.
This is not the prime minister I want to see in government, with one hand throwing false accusations, and with the other trying to get out of there as fast as he can because he is scared.
Keep it up Jeff!

Joyce Borg

Mar 3rd 2008, 15:53

Jeffrey Pullicing Orlando has nothing to hide and that is why he wanted to face Dr. Sant on PBS. If Dr. Sant had his facts straight he would not have ran!
It is shameful that MLP have taken this attitude throughout this electoral campaign.

Michael Attard

Mar 3rd 2008, 15:52

How many more rules are we going to bend for JPO? First we allow a 3rd party to try to build on his land without his consent. Then we partially allow a permit for a 4000people disco in a green area. Then we grant him a press card when he has no journalistic credentials. Then we give him permission to turn a press conference into a debate ...

Why doesn't he simply grab the constitution and rewrite it all to suit best his needs?

Joseph Castilli

Mar 3rd 2008, 15:51

This electoral campaign focused on two individuals who aspire to be Prime Minister. Therefore the confrontation about corruption and the other important issues should be between them and not between journalists (whether parttime or professional).

I think that Dr Sant, in view of an electoral strategy and as opposition leader, acted correctly. It is up to the Prime Minister to judge his candidate and convince the electorate that JPO is still a valid candidate.

J.Mifsud

Mar 3rd 2008, 15:49

Well done Dr Pullicino Orlando .. .. I am one that I decide to vot for labour (floater) but now I change my decision and I am going to vot PN .. Is time to change the MLP leader it is not the right way throwing mud and when people come to defened there name walks out of press conference

Charles Camenzuli

Mar 3rd 2008, 15:49

An attitude from the leader of the Opposition which is an insult to the local media. Avoiding to debate on such a delicate issue.

A. Vassallo

Mar 3rd 2008, 15:48

Politically speaking, AS is the whale and JPO is the makku. Is the whale afraid of the makku, in this case?

Vote MLP and this is what you get.

Joyce Borg

Mar 3rd 2008, 15:47

Dr. sant's actions today have really shown us that he is throwing mud without having proof of anything he says. He is simply twisting facts to win votes. He should be ashamed of his actions.

How can Dr. Sant keep throwing false allegations and expect people to believe him? I'm sure the Maltese population is intelligent enough to see that Dr. Sant and his party have nothing substantial to show us with regards to their policies for the coming 5 years.

Andrew Camilleri

Mar 3rd 2008, 15:47

BA rules state that even IF you are an accredited journalist you cannot be in a press conference if you are an election candidate. For those of you who are accusing Dr. Sant of being a coward may I remind you that Dr.Sant just stated that he would be more than happy to discuss JPO's issues with JPO himself on this week's political debate organised by the BA.

Karl Serracino

Mar 3rd 2008, 15:45

Amazing but true. Mr.Sant had all the opportunity to prove his point but he failed. We are good in speculating then proving. It would be very, very interesting if he could answer the questions. But I forgot ...Mr. Sant likes to have them beforehand to avoid embarrassment.

This is the re run of the 1996 mud slinging campaign. ICEBERG RIGHT AHEAD!!!!

Corinne Vella

Mar 3rd 2008, 15:42

Calling the police to remove a person for calling him to task is conduct unbecoming in a failed Prime Minister who says he wants another turn at the helm. I notice Alfred Sant had no objections to the presence of an AN candidate among the panel of journalists at today's BA press conference. That kind of undermines his scrupulous stance about not allowing Jeffrey Pullicino Orland airtime because he is a candidate too. Surely Alfred Sant could have faced down any question made by any person, particularly Jeffrey Pullicino Orland, given his strong convictions of wrongdoing in Mistra. What is Alfred Sant afraid of and what is he trying to hide?

Charles Portelli

Mar 3rd 2008, 15:42

Whatever the BA decided on JPO's right to attend the conference... It's an undeniable fact that Dr Sant is afraid of a face-off.

So the question should be: Since he is "so convinced" about the allegations he'd thrown against Dr Pullicino Orlando, why on earth would Dr Sant be so scared about debating with him face to face about the issue??

His escape would indicate that he is not convinced about these allegations, after all......

Sammy Camilleri

Mar 3rd 2008, 15:42

People are expecting Dr. Sant to substantiate his accusations. People need replies NOW from Dr. Sant and later they expect him to pay for throwing mud.

Shame on Dr. Sant!

Paul Vella

Mar 3rd 2008, 15:41

Can anyone deny that an Outline Development Permit has been issued for Spin Valley discoteque in the most picturesque Mistra Bay? Can anyone believe that the owner of a piece of land wouldn't know that the person who rented the land from him has acquired an Outline Development Permit for a 4,000 person Discoteque? Whom do you think you're kidding dear JPO? You now have the best opportunity to proof otherwise in court in your proceedings against Dr. Sant. But you're not allowed to provoke as you're doing. I admire Dr. Sant for his peaceful reaction to this outright provocation. The way he acted is most admirable in a civilised society.

Chris Vella

Mar 3rd 2008, 15:41

Dr Sant lacks confrontational skills.

Ruben Baldacchino

Mar 3rd 2008, 15:41

The B.A. said he could not stay but JPO wanted to break the law and stay. It's no surprise that a development permit came out in an ODZ zone. Alfred Sant did well not to stay for the press conference, as he's a person that follows the law. If JPO wants, he should give a good explanation to the whole country and not go to ask Dr. Alfred Sant. I have loads of questions to ask JPO and many other Maltese have lots of questions to ask JPO about the environment and how come he has no clue what's happening with his land. Apparently for a lot of people writing in this forum, a person that breaks the law is a hero. It clearly shows that the Nationalists have become what they used to call Labour in the 80''s. So let's all break the law and people will call us hero's. I'm sorry i'm no part of that group, I respect democracy.

anthony a. mifsud

Mar 3rd 2008, 15:40

Mr. Thake,
If it was me I wouldn't waste my vote on that Journalist.


Save your vote vote AD

Ninu

Michael Catania

Mar 3rd 2008, 15:39

The coward in this and other instances is not Alfred Sant but all you others who can't face a fact that at long last the electorate has woken up to all your nice talk and unfullfiled promises. As the saying goes OP has been caught "with his hand in the till"and has not the guts to admit his failure so that is the coward in this story.Alfred is right in not giving OP the centre stage.OP should make use of net TV AND 101 radio but I have just remembered it does not have that large an audience but at least he will be pleading with the converted.

Sammy Camilleri

Mar 3rd 2008, 15:36

People are expecting Dr. Sant to substantiate his accusations. People need replies NOW from Dr. Sant and later they expect him to pay for smugging mud.

Shame on Dr. Sant!

Chickening out for 4 days and playing hide and seek is not what Maltese citizens expect from a 'potential' Prime Minister...

E Gatt

Mar 3rd 2008, 15:36

Well done Jeffrey! You are showing that this Alfred Sant's mudslinging will not frighten you but on the other hand you have shown who is now frightened when challeneged to substantiate the allegations. I was going to vote PN but was not sure for which candidate, I have now decided: seeing that Jeffrey is contesting my disrict my vote is for him.

Mark Bonello

Mar 3rd 2008, 15:36

To Kurt Vella : Are you suggesting that Dr. Sant should have broken the BA regulations and confronted JPO? Anyway it went Dr. Sant was right to leave the studio if JPO was so arrogant not to leave himself knowing that he should not have been there and had no RIGHT to be there!

JPO said he opened a libel case against Dr. Sant so why does he go against the legal proceedings he himself initiated and keep on insisting of obtaining his own justice? How arrogant can you be??? If all this happened with the blessings of GonziPN then I'm sorry the people won't appreciate it!

M. Bugeja

Mar 3rd 2008, 15:36

First of all, I don't agree with Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando for being there playing the role of a journalist if he is not!

But then, a second question arises. Why is Dr. Sant so afraid of facing his political rivals face to face. If he alleged something about JPO he cannot pretend not to face him.

And after all, why didn't we have a face-to-face encounter between political rivals during all of this political campaign?? The one and only occasion was the University debate. Who is refusing of such debates which usually show clearly the difference between political sides???

Reuben Zammit

Mar 3rd 2008, 15:35

Please Dr.Sant grow up. Stand up for your actions. If only had you nothing to hide, you would have answered Dr.Pullicino Orlando’s questions without hesitation. Why were you intimidated? Prove yourself? Is this the way you portray yourself as an alternative Prime Minister? Eh…. you have still a lot to learn

Andrew Camilleri

Mar 3rd 2008, 15:34

A press conference is a press conference - the journalist asks questions and Dr. Sant answers. It is NOT a debate!!! Dr. Sant himself said that if JPO wanted to confront him on the issue he would have gladly confronted him in the political debate to be aired later this week by the BA. But to go to a press conference and demand to turn it into a discussion/debate is arrogant to say the least!

John Schembri

Mar 3rd 2008, 15:34

How to muzzle your victims from the opposition: "Gibulu l-pulizija" "Press card please"
Dr Alfred Sant must face Jeffrey , or else we cannot consider him for Malta's Premiership.From what I can see this corruption allegation has made the desired damage which the MLP wanted.
The PN has to work really hard on this , only three days to go for JPO to get his name cleared.

a.stivala

Mar 3rd 2008, 15:33

shameful and cheap from jpo,i thought he had more class.desperation is in the gonzipn air waves!

James De Giorgio

Mar 3rd 2008, 15:32

To Paula Demicoli, Michael Catania, M.Aquilina and others who can't read properly, Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando is an accredited journalist and the BA chief executive had accepted to have Pullicino Orlando at the press conference, knowing full well, as does the rest of the country that he is a candidate AND possesing a press card.

But of course, you wouldn't care all about the behaviour of your feathered friend upon realising that Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando was there.

If Sant had the guts, he would have confronted him. How is Sant going to confront serious problems if he is prime minister? Squawk and fly off??

Daniel Formosa

Mar 3rd 2008, 15:32

can you imagine Dr Alfred Sant re-negotiating Malta's EU package? He will chicken out after a few minutes. COWARDS!!! scared to face a Maltese politician...if you are so convinced Dr Sant you should defend your allegations but seems like you have nothing to defend so you chickened out as usual.....

A Mangion

Mar 3rd 2008, 15:32

Come on All, what's all this about the BA rules? We all read the newspapers don't we, everyone and anyone can write what they like, so who is a journalist and who isn't? The truth is deeper, Dr Sant simply cannot withstand any form of confrontation, not from anyone in his own party or from anyone at ll. The only change this country needs is in the MLP leadership.

Michelle Pirotta

Mar 3rd 2008, 15:32

I was impressed by Pullicino Orlando's courage. Being only a backbencher and challenging a potential future PM at a discussion takes a lot of guts.

On the otherhand, how can expect Dr Sant to defend Malta's interests in Brussels if he cannot defend himself against a parliamentary backbencher?

Joseph Castilli

Mar 3rd 2008, 15:29

If I remember correctly there was another challenge for a series of one to one debates similar to what happens in Spain for example. Was this challenge accepted?

It seems that Maltese politics is taking a dip downwards

David Magri

Mar 3rd 2008, 15:29

Come on PN supporters, please try and be realistic for once.

Why should AS have confronted JPO? JPO shouldn't have been there and that is all there is to it.

JPO this is not the way to get votes. Do your job as a candidate and convince us that you are a worthy politician and not a Gonzi puppet!

In simple terms, another Nationalist slip-up. Keep up the good work.

A.Jones

Mar 3rd 2008, 15:28

I thought Dr Pullicino Orlando is a dentist, MP, Nationalist candidate and ''part-time farmer''....are the DOI giving out press cards to everyone these days? if so...can I have one?? please??

Mark Bonello

Mar 3rd 2008, 15:27

Well Done Dr. Sant! Finally someone is trying to bring back some professionality in politics! JPO should be ashamed of himself - very unprofessional! What was he thinking??? If he had no right to be there Dr. Sant did the right thing because he should not commend unprofessional behaviour and childish attitudes! JPO acted like a kid!

The only person that chickened out was GonziPN when Dr. Sant challenged him to a series of direct discussions in a formal setting as those debates done in France!

N.GRECH

Mar 3rd 2008, 15:25

Fair enough , this may have not been the right place for Dr. Pullicino Orlando to ask questions
but one would still ask , why does Dr. Sant want to avoid direct confrontation , he had all
the chance in the world to confront Dr. Pullicino Orlando over the weekend but instead decided
to call a last minute press conference when he knew that Dr. Pullicino Orlando was still in Gozo and
would therefore not be able to attend. Dr. Sant played a dirty trick and clearly seems to be afraid of
facing the truth. In life, one must be ready to face challenges and not run away from them, especially
when you are aspiring to be the next PM…! We all know that Dr. Sant’s strategy has always been
“ my way or no way ”.

Vince Rapa

Mar 3rd 2008, 15:25

Unbelievable Dr. Sant. Are you the courageous man who wants to negotiate with the EU?How?By walking out? Do you think we trust you? I cannot see any citizen admiring such a future Prime Minister of Malta!

Charmaine Calleja

Mar 3rd 2008, 15:24

The broadcasting authority made it very clear that contesting candidates could not participate in such a press conference. So there is only one conclusion to this. It is only provocation.
If JPO wants to answer about the Mistra Scandal he should go on Net Tv or publish all the related documents regarding the application on his land.
After all JPO changed his version of facts more than once in less than 24 hours.
All signs of a panicked party and a panicked candidate.

M Formosa

Mar 3rd 2008, 15:24

I can t believe how people here are trying to defend Dr. Sant.. He does not have the courage to accuse JPO in his face!!! I cannot understand how people defend MLP whatever they do!!

charles borg

Mar 3rd 2008, 15:23

Really astonished! Why does Sant continue to run away from Jeffery Pullicino Orlando! Today's Sant's behaviour says it all!!! A typical case that Is-Sewwa Jirbah Zgur.!

J.Buhagiar

Mar 3rd 2008, 15:23

I remind all at the outset that I am not a die heart of either. So none of the input of the NP/Lab brainwashed supporters will love to hear what I have to say.

I find Orlando’s attitude unacceptable and this is going to geopardize all of Dr. Gonzi’s efforts and hardships in the past few week. Like Dr. Gonzi said in his speech above last Sunday, most floating voters judge you by your actions too.

Therefore, with all due respect, this level of mud slinging needs to be clarified. This is the process of using your power and connections to attain privileges that for example, changes a piece of land into gold overnight and/or winning a tender etc. hiding behind third parties. This never had my support and never had the support of anyone that does not stand to gain. It is more or less the method of operation of former L.Sant an attitude that we used to HATE so much. And as I understand it from what I hear and read, it seems that quite a few have fallen into the same pitfall recently.

Point is that as I understand it and as most readers understand it too, is not good enough and may not be as Dr. Sant said it is. Or is it?

Either way, true or false, Dr. Gonzi still has time to turn this issue into an opportunity. Dr. Gonzi needs to seek to clarify and bring this issue to an end before the 8th of March.

Floating voters will respect him for it, I can assure him. After all, if it is at all true, Orlando should be asked to resign. This would also serve as a clear warning of what await all new GonziNP staff, if the new GonziNP is elected, and if any dare do it again.

I have no doubt about the strategy (road to get there) of Dr.\Gonzi. But this is too much. Unless this is clarified, I would most definitely look the other way and vote “xkupa gdida.”

Dr. Sant is not the idiot that the NP would like us to think he is. He is after all a Harvard University graduate and will most definitely build on the existing like he repeatedly confirmed.

Kurt Vella

Mar 3rd 2008, 15:21

Dr.Sant you had all the opportunity to prove your point. The fact that you walked out is a clear proof that all you are doing in throwing mud with the hope of increasing your chance to be elected as our next PM.

The Maltese are not idiots or makku.

Before the 1996 elections you accused a number of the then Cabinet, including Minister Michael Frendo of corruption and when you were elected PM the very same person you appointed to investigate these accusations told you black on white that this was only a fictitious accusation.

Politics is made of issues, how the two political parties are envisaging the next 5 years. What do have for us? The only 2 proposals I hears from labour is that you will diminish the surcharge by half anf remove tax on overtime.

The surcharge question.. can MLP tell me from where it will get the money when the price of fuel has reached the prices above $100? Tell me this in a clear manner not with proposals in the air. What MLP is not mentioning is that it will indeed remove half of the surcharge, apart from the half of what I dont know yet, but for sure you will impose further taxes to bring the money you will loose.

About overtime. Its very simple. Not to keep in mind what the PN is saying that you intend to pay workers per hour instead of per hour and a half or more, the solution is easy. You already did it when PM you will remove overtime. As you did with your close allies.

All you are doing Dr.Sant is trying to make us believe that people are corrupt, that Saints exists only in the MLP.

I do admit, as PM Gonzi is admitting, that things could have been made much better, saying that he do have regrets on certain issues. Dr.gonzi proved that he respects the people's verdict be it what ever it will be. What have Dr.Sant did. NO REGRETS. You havent accepted my vote in a referendum, you have no regrets for removing my stipend sending me to take a loan just because my father could not afford to maintain my education, you increased the water and electricity much more then it is now with surcharge included. But for all this you have NO REGRETS.

Im sorry but my vote will go to a more serene environment. I will vote for the PN.

Mark Grech

Mar 3rd 2008, 15:19

Who's the chicken now?

Mark Camilleri

Mar 3rd 2008, 15:16

too bad Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando doesn't contest on my district otherwise I would give him my 1 hands down.

Well done Jeffrey you got guts and you are saying the truth for sure and after today your position has been cleared in my books.

and yet again Alfred Sant is giving the election to PN. are we sure he is not a Nationalist in disguise???

James De Giorgio

Mar 3rd 2008, 15:16

Nice one Dr Sant. So we're going to have a prime minister with feathers apparently.

clive demicoli

Mar 3rd 2008, 15:14

Is it now a provocation to defend yourself? What JPO was doing was defending himself against the mudslinging campaign as perpetuated by Dr Sant. We want proposals Dr Sant not mud slinging.

Tonio Farrugia

Mar 3rd 2008, 15:07

I admire Jeffrey`s resilience. I did not except anything else from Alfred! But democracy is made from more serious stuff. If I had any doubts who was saying the truth, I am now convinced it wasn`t Alfred!

M Micallef

Mar 3rd 2008, 15:06

If Pullicino had no right to be there, he should have left. If he had no right to be there, he should have been made to leave.


If he wants to say something to the public he has every opportunity to do so... as he did when he said that he didn't know to whom he rented out his fields....and later said that he contacted the person to whom he rented the field and asked him to withdraw the application.

David Thake

Mar 3rd 2008, 15:06

Alfred Sant's behaviour in this Mistra case is shocking.

If what Sant is saying about this case being tainted with corruption is true, he could have torn Pullicino Orlando to pieces on TV. Yet he turned and ran.

Disgraceful!

I wish I could vote for Jeffrey.

Jennifer Cosaitis

Mar 3rd 2008, 15:03

Seems like someone has lost his tongue ? :)

Victor Laiviera

Mar 3rd 2008, 15:02

The PN arrogance knows no bounds. Now they are even expecting the BA to break its own rules to accomodate them.

J Amato-Gauci

Mar 3rd 2008, 15:01

What is Dr Sant afraid of???

Alan Pace

Mar 3rd 2008, 15:00

What does Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando is trying to do??!! The facts are crystal clear that there was something wrong in the whole affair... He thinks that by going to the press conference, in which, even the chairman of the BA objected his presence, he could provoke in any way Dr Sant!.. The accusations are clear and werepresented with undentable fact! Whatever Mr Pullicino Orlando does will never enable him to regain his arrogant sense of superiority. He has to be accountable for what he did!!! That's why I think that we need CHANGE in this country and I'm sure that Alfred Sant is the only person who can provide it!

ALBERT FENECH

Mar 3rd 2008, 14:56

Since when has Dr Pullicino Orlando become an accredited journalist? We learnt during the last week that he is a landowner, an entrepreneur and a wannabe disco owner - but a journalist? Indeed GonziPN General Secretary Joe Saliba, there have been occasions in the past when candidates and MP's attended Press Conferences. I can think of two, the late Pawlu Carachi and Alfred Portelli - but they were professional, trade journalists and not dentists, nor were they wannabe disco owners.

clive demicoli

Mar 3rd 2008, 14:41

The cheek ! It is ok to say what you want about a person but then run away when he is in front of you. The only abusive thing about his whole story is the way Dr Sant chooses to conduct politics. The Labour Party deserves better.

M.Aquilina

Mar 3rd 2008, 14:40

This article states clearly that:

The chairman of the Broadcasting Authority, Joe Scicluna, said that in terms of BA rules, Dr Pullicino Orlando had no right to be among the journalists because he was an election candidate.

Therefore Dr. Sant did well in walking out in protest. Either you obey the law or you don't. Simple.

Dona Mangion

Mar 3rd 2008, 14:36

Once again, Sant is chickened out and is avoiding a direct confrontation. Its a real electoral drama - 'cat and mouse'!

michael catania

Mar 3rd 2008, 14:35

Are we seeing a repetion of 1980's. In those days the MLP was blamed for it but we know better to-day. The media those days covered up all that the conservatives did to disrupt the country, not only that but put the blame on the Labour Party. Well JPO your behaviour is there for all to see.You are fighting for your political life but by what you are doing you are tightening the noose around your neck. Hope the electorate sees what you are made of and put a size 12 boot up your backside.

Paola Demicoli

Mar 3rd 2008, 14:34

"The chairman of the Broadcasting Authority, Joe Scicluna, said that in terms of BA rules, Dr Pullicino Orlando had no right to be among the journalists because he was an election candidate. "

Why did they not remove him?!!!!
He had no right to be there!!!

Daniel Formosa

Mar 3rd 2008, 14:28

I hope the readers realise how serious this is...a future Prime Minister walks out of a press conference because he is scared to face a person he threw mud at...that is the reality...he is scared to face a person because his allegations are false...imagine him facing problems the country will face...

Paul Vella

Mar 3rd 2008, 14:28

PN gurus just don't want to observe to rules of the game. Journalists are journalists and election candidates are something else. The rules of the Broadcasting Authority are spelled out clearly and the ruling by the Chairman of the Broadcasting Authority was transmitted on One News. The Broadcasting Authority does not allow Election Candidates to act as journalists. Why couldn't the PN show some respect to our institutions? Why cannot they accept a legitimate ruling by the Chairman of the Broadcasting Authority. Prosit Dr. Sant. You acted in the most civilised manner and did not fall to the provocation trap of the Nationalists.

Anthony Baldacchino

Mar 3rd 2008, 14:19

I saw the Chairman Authority saying that Mr. Pullicino Orlando, did not have the right to be at the press ocnference because he is candidate and even if he is a medialink journalist too, he is candidate, and the rules of these press conference say that he can`t stay be there because he is candidate. The chairman said so himself. I saw that the police were going to intervene to get Pullicino Orlando out.

Joe Galea

Mar 3rd 2008, 14:18

How low we have stooped now. GonziPN is reducing politics to a Jerry Springer Show. Now JPO is a journalist too. Come on. Be serious.
When JPO told the developers to stop with their project, he admitted he knew everything. He is being provocative.

Andy Ellul

Mar 3rd 2008, 14:16

Alfred Sant, why are you scared of confronting Jeffrey? For the benefit of the Maltese public you need to accept Jeffrey's challenge and confront him.

Joe Mizzi

Mar 3rd 2008, 14:15

Its good to see the Broadcasting Authority do its job.

Mark Bonello

Mar 3rd 2008, 14:12

Shameful attitude of Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando! Didn't he open legal proceedings??? So why is he trying to provoke Dr. Sant??? Why is GonziPN allowing this to happen?? Shameful - simply put - GonziPN in desperation!!!

pierre conti

Mar 3rd 2008, 14:12

To be expected from Dr Sant.
This is how he'd deal with the voters. Cowardice !!!

Dr. Clive Aquilina Spagnol

Mar 3rd 2008, 14:10

It seems as if JPO has time to waste...does he wants us to trust him with our vote for a future minister or he prefers to do a role which is not his.. hey JPO this does not look professional at all...at all! what a farce!

Corinne Vella

Mar 3rd 2008, 14:10

So Alfred Sant has once again denied himself the opportunity to answer questions. What is he afraid of? If he can't face a political opponent on home ground, how will he face 26 other governments when renegotiating the terms of Malta's EU accession package?

Simon Cauchi

Mar 3rd 2008, 14:08

Will he do the same with EU journalists and EU politicians, when he doen't get what he want? Are we going to become the JOKE of Europe?

A Abela

Mar 3rd 2008, 14:08

Typical Dr. Sant!! Confront Pullicino Orlando if you have the courage

Daniel Formosa

Mar 3rd 2008, 14:03

Dr Sant, who would like to portray himself as the future prime minister is scared to face a person face-to-face...

Michael Farrugia

Mar 3rd 2008, 14:01

Malta certainly does not deserve to have Alfred Sant as PM!

P. Camilleri

Mar 3rd 2008, 14:00

And we ask - can you take Sant seriously when he wont even face those he accuses??

Is he only capable of mudslinging but then can't even back up his claims and face those he accuses.

Peter Abela

Mar 3rd 2008, 13:59

.... and this man wants to be our Prime Minister? give us a break and let us get on with building a future for ourselves!

Mark Pisani

Mar 3rd 2008, 13:57

HAHAHAHA - What a man of courage!! Can you imagine Dr Sant standing up to the EU commission if he is afraid of a simple Maltese MP

Ian Bugeja

Mar 3rd 2008, 13:54

This is the person who wants to become the new Prime Minister of Malta...yet he flees when he finds himself in difficulty.

Simon Schembri

Mar 3rd 2008, 13:53

Does this leave any doubts in people's minds on who is not telling the truth?

joanna agius

Mar 3rd 2008, 13:53

Well done Jeffrey PO for showing up Dr Sant for what he really is.....