Pullicino Orlando says his actions on Mistra no different from other MEPA applications
Nationalist MP Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando insisted in court today that the way he acted with regard to the Mistra development application before MEPA was the same as with any other application where MPs were asked to help constituents.
Dr Pullicino Orlando was giving evidence in the case instituted against Philip Azzopardi, 57, and Anthony Mifsud, 50, respectively former chairman and a member of the Development Control Commission, who are alleged to have had private interests in the adjudication process of an application for a disco in Mistra.
Dr Pullicino Orlando confirmed that he owned land in Mistra which he had rented out to Dominic Micallef . An application was made to MEPA for the development of an outdoor entertainment area. Mr Micallef had explained to him that the project involved more landscaping than actual paving.
The Nationalist MP said that like every Member of Parliament did, he contacted the MEPA liaison officer, Lawrence Vassallo, whenever he needed to speak to him about any development applications. His constituents would go to him, like Dominic Micallef did, to see what progress had been made in their application.
On some occasions, such as the Mista development, Dr Pullicino Orlando said, Mr Vassallo felt the need to discuss particular points and called meetings for this purpose.
The architect of the project, Paul Camilleri, had the most input during the meetings, They were very normal meetings, held after appointment. They were held in Mr Vassallo's office and there was nothing to hide. Indeed, Dr Pullicino Orlando said, before the meetings, he would wait outside the office with other members of the public and other MPs from both sides.
When asked how many meetings had been held, Dr Pullicino Orlando said that, speaking from memory there were three meetings spread over a number of months.
When asked if had had put any pressure to speed up the proceedings, Dr Pullicino Orlando said 'absolutely not.'
Dr Pullicino orlando said he never had any direct input in the application by the Malta Tourism Authority to embellish the bay.
Dr Pullicino Orlando said he never promised or offered anything to the accused. The accused had no private interest in the application.
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victor vellamail.com
Mar 10th 2009, 20:33
But in this case you were not helping a costituent but your client , ie the person who hired the land from you, and which hire wouldnt have gone through if the permit was not issued, so you were using your position to help yourself dear sir.When you cried before the elections it was because the truth came out. You were elected in two districts because you managed to cheat the people into believing that you were an innocent person being targeted by Alfred Sant. The truth Dr Pulicino Orlando and nothing but the truth please.
Shaun camilleri
Mar 10th 2009, 20:08
He is a politician and the law for them is different than for us. Dr. Gonzi also indicated the outcome when he said that he considered his politician buddy Pullicino Orlado a colour in his party's rainbow.
Miriam Webster
Mar 10th 2009, 12:53
I have said this before and I will say it again.
Public officials, whether elected or otherwise. owe us a duty of care above and beyond that of a normal citizen. It is not OK to avoid the truth by remaining silent on an issue, nor is it OK to deny knowledge or interest in a transaction when there clearly is an interest.
Public officials must avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest or wrongdoing. This is the norm everywhere else in the world - everywhere that matters, at least.
Full disclosure, upfront, is the only way this should have been handled. Since that didn't happen, the next best thing would have been full disclosure after the fact, and if we were to expect the norm, it would be accompanied by a resignation.
But instead, we're getting a story that grows more convoluted every time it is told in a futile attempt to justify improper actions, together with a desperate attempt to hold onto power.
Alex Spiteri
Mar 10th 2009, 09:39
I finally understood the reason behind JPO’s last week harsh article on illegal immigration!
r.lewis
Mar 10th 2009, 08:42
I would like to ask whether any maltese national (or any body else in the whole world) who will have a piece of property worth X amount of euro but if developed the price will triple. Those of you who will not do the same, should point their finger out infront of a mirror. I agree that Mistra is a very nice and quite area, and its not the most sought area for an open air disco, but if we abide with these laws, 20% of the country has the same problem. Take for instance further up the cliff from Mistra, where the Selmun Palace is. The Palace looked majestic when it stood on its own, not now surrounded by a hotel. As regards permits on the other hand every one can submit an application with Mepa. One can submit an application to build a Kiosk in the middle of a roundabout, but then its Mepa's sole responsability whether to grant the permit or not.
D Camilleri
Mar 9th 2009, 19:54
jpo certainly had a private interest in the project, held meetings where their was nothing to hide, and then promised the population he knew nothing about the project, with tears in his eyes, and now is a member of my country`s parlaiment like nothing happened. What a shame,
carment cacciottolo
Mar 9th 2009, 15:20
He speaks as if the land was not his. Its not just helping out a constituent, but promoting a personal project of his while using his position to push the project through. How can he say its normal procedure?
Lawrence Pisani
Mar 9th 2009, 15:14
Dr.Pullicino Orlando, will you still like to do the debate with Dr.Alfred Sant? Why have you been deserted by Dr.Lawrence Gonzi after the election and all the party?
J. Borg
Mar 9th 2009, 14:23
JPO Mistra case was in the limelight because it arose on the election's eve and JPO supposedly green credentials out of tone with any 'development' in Mistra.
However the BIGGER story, is that MPs from both major parties appear to do their utmost to influence MEPA's decisions - should this be allowed in the first place.
Nonetheless, having none other than Dr. Gonzi himself meeting & obviously promising/granting some small or not so small carrots at the election's eve - did shift the election result. Again, is this the democracy and equality that our islands should embrace?
V Fenech
Mar 9th 2009, 13:38
"Ma nafx xejn fuq dan il-progett jien"
Guess who said these words?
Chris Finch
Mar 9th 2009, 13:11
Maybe his actions in terms of the application were no different to any other, but claiming he knew nothing about it and shedding (what are now obviously) crocodile tears prior to the election was certainly different to how you would expect an elected member of parliament to behave.