Government confirms Pullicino Orlando as COE delegation leader

May I remind those who have already condemned Dr Pullicino Orlando that we live in a democracy where he should be presumed innocent until proved guilty. However, I strongly believe the government, as leader of our democracy, should ensure investigations into Dr Pullicino Orlando's actions are concluded swiftly and that Dr Pullicino Orlando should do the decent thing and resign from the committee until his name is cleared.

The credibility of our Nation is under a serious threat. How can our country be represented by a person who's character is under the shadow of suspected irregularities and corruption?
This issue hasn't got to be in any way dealt by the police or the Attorney General Office, as its political credibility that's under question as well.
In my view the Labour Delegates should take a stand and therefore not take part under the Leadership of the individual concerned.
Instead the MLP should write to Strasbourg and inform them of the facts why they will not be attending. That the MLP will and shall not take any part whatsoever in any delegation, where this person concerned is involved.
Its the credibility of the Nationalist Government and Party who's credibility is at stake. If the Nationalist Government is not ready to deal with its issue, then its up to the.
But the Labour Opposition should and cannot be part of this affair.
If the Government is not ready to tackle this very serious problem, then the Opposition should and can uphold its dignity and face of our Parliament and credibility.

It is a clear message that gonzi does not have a 'par idejn sodi'
If an MP can do what he likes imagine what a minister can do.

Surprised? What is going on about the investigations.... I believe the police hae given its files to the AG about two weeks ago yes? Silence speaks loud.

They ll be kicking off the assembly with an open air disco!

Sergio Galea Vincenti, you seem quite able to give advise.

What one should do first is though is to take it himself and then give it. Haven't you heard the phrase lead by example.

We all now that JPO is under suspision of what might be illegal practices. But as far as Iknow so far haven't been accused withanything, let alone found quilty.

I still cannot understand why Alfred Sant objected for the presence of JPO in that famous cancelled press conference. It would have been very useful for the MLP, had AS went ahead with that press conference just the same, I presume. Can anyone explain?

Get your facts right prior to posting comments. This is an old committee established from the last Parlaiment. Until Parlaiment establish new commitees, the old ones must carry on. And that is the reason why Joe Debono Grech is there as well. If memory serves me right, Mr. Debono Grech was not elected in the last election.

Dr. Joseph Grech Attard, I would have expected more from you, having in the past inspired to serve in Parlaiment.

SO THERE IS NOTHING SINISTER ABOUT ALL THIS.

As a Maltese citizen, tax-payer and elector, I would like to state on record that I have absolutely no confidence in Dr. Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando representing me at the forthcoming COE session on abortion because he does not have an ounce of credibility. Over and above I feel disgusted that he should have been selected by "my" Government not only to represent the people of Malta, but to actually HEAD the Maltese delegation. This will go down in history as one of the greatest-ever insults and affronts shunted onto the Maltese people by a Maltese Government. The Banana Republic status reigns paramount!

first it was jpo who shamed us now its gonzis turn to shame us.

The PM does not want an MP under investigation in his cabinet but is happy to send him as the leader of a delegation representing the nation. Something rings very hollow here.

well done to J.P.O .. Great choice DR Gonzi Jeff is one of the best for this.. :-)

This is not the way to treat an MP who is under investigations! This is very irregular. And a very feeble PR exercise.

They achieve power by just a 1% and this is what they present my fellow citizens with. Like Mr. Galea Vincenti said it is absolutely an insult to all the maltese of good will. However, he does generalize a little when he says that is what the people have subscribed to this because half the population didnt ask for them ! And voted other wise .

FUN WITH WORDS: 1. Gonzi stated that he wants to govern more by consensus rather than by controversy..... 2. Gonzi has also asked us to judge him by what he does rather than by what he says..... FUNNY FACTS: 1. Gonzi was in the news about escaping the media while visiting MEPA!! (why? he had such a wonderful opportunity to share his wonderful views he has about MEPA?! What made him escape questions? Maybe the subject JPO???? Who knows? We had been advised to wait & not to assume anything!! Then why escaping???) 2. PfP could have been so peacefully discussed!! But GonziPN opted for a controversial style rather!!!! (I wonder why!!!) 3. JPO TO LEAD THE DELEGATION!!!! This is really the best one ever!!! What a leader! Now I could understand better the slogan of "Flimkien kollox possibli" because otherwise, this would have been IMPOSSIBLE!!!!!! Sorry but onlyinmalta.com!!!!!

this is the new version of the mickey mouse country

Hilarious. Or revolting. Take your pick! At the end of the day, the Gonzipn govt needs the chap...not only will they not force him to resign his seat (for fear he resigns from the party and brings about a government crises before it comes into being), they actually assign him an important institutional role. Ensemble tout est possible!!!!

In my opinion it would have been more appropriate if Mr Robert Arrigo was chosen to lead the Maltese delagation, if the government still wanted to send JPO to the COE

Instead of simply complaining about the issue, the labour party should leak the JPO affair to the Brussels press organisations. It should make for a great story and shine a light on the manner in which certain individuals get away.

I guess Dr. Gonzi is right. He will soon appoint JPA as Parliamentary Secretary in charge of MEPA . People will soon forget.

Why are we all complaining? before the election, it was obvious that JP was not telling the truth. tears and tantrums did nothing to hide his obvious discomfort! yet.With the massive backing he got from Gonzi, and Joe Saliba, he was elected from 2 districts with a vote surplus. Now we are complaining because he has been sent to lead a delegation!
Why are we surprised? Dr.Gonzi is doing nothing more than once again, putting the Nationalist partys interests, ahead of the countrys! He could not care less. The reality is, that he has a one seat majority, and he does not want to risk upsetting JPO. Shameful..but, thats the way things are!

The only strange thing I see in this delegation is the position of Joe Debono Grech who until today is still not an MP!!! While JPO was returned from TWO districts.

what a joke!!!!

I hope I am reading a comment of about two months ago - when no body knew what happened afterwards!!! I'm speechless at this new style of politics.

Is this a first compensation for both gonziPN MP's for failing to win a ministry post? I do sincerely hope that the whole delegation shall fare well in such an important and hot issue as abortion.

Oh... and if I were any of the MPs forming part of the delegation, I would not attend for the CoE proceedings. It's enough having a farce locally - why export it as well?

This is incredible and an insult to all Maltese of good will.

I guess Dr. Gonzi has given us his reply on the matter.

Nice going to all... but especially to JPO who - in my humble opinion - should have considered more carefully his position with style and dignity.

But, alas, this is what we - as a people - have subscribed to and therefore we have no one but ourselves to blame.

Well done Dr. Gonzi. After all as you said Mistra village concerns only Nationalist party and not the Maltese people.

Yes, together everything is possible.