Pullicino Orlando 'satisfied' with Mistra decision
Nationalist MP Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando this afternoon said he was satisfied that a court had acquitted two people charged in connection with the Mistra case.
In a statement, he said that the decision proved that he was correct in what he had said about the case before the election and since then.
Philip Azzopardi, a former chairman of a Mepa Development Control Commission and Anthony Mifsud, one of its former members, this morning were found not guilty of trading in influence in the Mistra development case.
The case revolved around the outline permit which had been issued for the building of an open air disco on land belonging to Dr Pullicino Orlando.
"This is a case where I had to suffer accusations which are today being shown to have been false," Dr Pullicino Orlando said.
Those people who had tried to twist facts and manipulate information now had a clear declaration by the courts, he said.
The case had confirmed the integrity and honesty of the accused and cleared them of any undue influence.
"My regret is that these two people and their families had to go through all this needlessly because of the false allegations that were made."
Dr Pullicino Orlando said the people could now better understand why he had had no problem in facing up to those who accused him of corruption just before the general election.
This decision filled him with courage to continue to work for his constituents within the Nationalist party, which was the ultimate target of the attacks made on him before the general election, Dr Pullicino Orlando said.
PN STATEMENT
Earlier, the Nationalist Party this afternoon hailed a court decision.
The party recalled that this case was raised by the Labour Party, which had revealed it for major impact right on the eve of the general election. At the time the PL had attacked Nationalist MP Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando, who had not shirked from facing then Labour leader Alfred Sant, although the latter had run away from a public debate. The Nationalist MP had also himself called on the Commissioner of Police to investigate the PL allegations.
The court had now decided that two of the persons taken to court were innocent.
Today's decision, the PN said, showed that the judicial process should be allowed to function so that truth, rather than manipulation, would prevail.
MEPA REACTION
The Malta Environment & Planning Authority (MEPA) said it had noted the court's decision with satisfaction.
"The Authority has full trust in the Maltese jurisdiction," Mepa said.
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m. borg
Oct 30th 2009, 19:53
A good number of posters to the TIMES were calling for JPO's blood just after the elections because of the gonziPN's poor showing. Today some of them are backtracking and came out in his defence. What a pathetic lot.!
Anthony Mizzi
Oct 30th 2009, 19:30
In the meantime, the Maltese with generations to come will continue to enjoy Mistra Bay in its natural state thanks to Dr. Alfred Sant as a Natura 2000 site http://www.dinlarthelwa.org/content/view/132/59/
Alex Tanti
Oct 30th 2009, 15:45
Could Dissett/Bondi/Peppi bring forth a public debate about this matter between the HON backbenchair JPO and Ex PM Dr Sant and let the said debate bring to conclusion this whole matter... then Dr Sant refused such an encounter,..... would Backbencher JPO shy off now??
C. Azzopardi
Oct 30th 2009, 14:19
The scandal in all this is the simple fact that JPO was never brought to court in the first place. How could these people allegedly help somoene without that someone ever asking them to in some way? What is known is that the police said they never found any incriminating evidence against JPO but details on their investigation never saw the light of day . If only the Police HQ walls could talk.
Victor Laiviera
Oct 30th 2009, 09:24
@ Anna Ellul
What you say is perfectly true but you left out one vital point.
JPO declared in public that he had nothing to do with the project and was then found to have signed contracts which showed that, not only was he fully aware of what was going on, but he was also heavily involved.
That is the crux of the matter.
The arraignment of these two men was just a diversion to draw attention away from the above facts.
Tommy Lee
Oct 30th 2009, 07:39
He is satisfied, so would i be in his shoes.
Mary Ann Borg
Oct 29th 2009, 21:34
Fact 1: Labour exerted a lot of pressure and two men were brought to justice. The same justice that exonorated them from accusations.
Fact 2: JPO was, is and will always be wrong to try to spoil Mistra
Fact 3: The PN victory in the last election would have been greater if it wasn't for JPO
Fact 4: Another daily paper, after having printing so many pages about the case at the time of the case, today only reported the story in an inner page, which just says a lot about the way the media is in that area.
Michael Gatt
Oct 29th 2009, 21:21
So Dr. Pullicino is concidering himself as he isat no fault at all
D.Magro
Oct 29th 2009, 17:37
So now I presume that Dr JPO will be given a ministry...right? Only that will show full confidence from Dr Gonzi.
Time will tell.
Anna Ellul
Oct 29th 2009, 13:26
Maybe I am missing something here? How does this judgement exonerate JPO?
The real issue to my mind is that JPO, who used to put himself forward asa champion for the environment, sought to have an area which is ODZ developed. The second issue is whether he used his public persona to influence those who were taking the decision.
Whether he succeeded or not is another matter altogether but does not exonerate him.
The fact remains that he claimed he had no knowedge of the transaction, which was simply not the case. How can you have someone in public office who tells untruths for personal gain?! (rhetoric question I guess!!)
laurence schembri
Oct 29th 2009, 13:13
Mr. Martinelli never cease to amaze me, so because JPO is a blue, Joe, in his wisdom sees right that JPO has the right to ruin these little spots we have left on the island.
Some one must be at fault for the issue of such a permit. In his their wisdom maybe Martinelli and Demartino will let us know.
If I tell you what MEPA did only yesterday at a newly inaugurated Carnival Museum on the Valletta Waterfront, you will laugh your heads off. I`ll keep mum about it for now, I will not embarrass them.
S. Farrugia
Oct 29th 2009, 12:46
@keith spiteri,
apology ghalfejn? Il-PL kellu dritt u DMIR li jgib dan il-kaz quddiem kulhadd.
jane deguara nee hughes
Oct 29th 2009, 10:53
Well done Jeffrey, its about time it got sorted, lets hope it ends now.
Philip Hili
Oct 29th 2009, 01:30
Dr Alfred Sant the reason why you had no guts to face Dr Jeffery Pullicino Orlando at the PBS press conference on the eve of the general election is now clear.
R.Gauci
Oct 29th 2009, 01:23
Can someone please help me to answer this question ? If there was nothing wrong about the issueing of the permit for this project why it was cancelled after all that happened ??!!Thanks
Mark Cassar
Oct 29th 2009, 00:51
All this just highlights how everyone is allowing emotion (both political and personal) to get in the way of the true issue in front of us; what is TRULY right and what is TRULY wrong for the Maltese environment. This particular case has served to highlight to everyone in Malta what has been going on in MEPA for years, perhaps even from its very inception and indirectly the government's policy making with regard to the environment. Just what is the government's and MEPA's priority? To protect the environment or to back developers and speculators? That is the real issue and the true dilemma facing this government; and it has to make up its mind very soon because the people (read the voters) are losing their patience. To bring the environment debate in front of everyone's eyes go to Bahrija, and go all the way down to the valley floor, and see another pending case which has pure environmental folly written all over it; in bright blue. Two metres from the disrupted land where the footprint of the development ends, my son spotted two large fresh water crabs; the species is protected, but alas we have sold them out.
a attard
Oct 28th 2009, 23:33
Discos do not belong to Mistra...there are enough dancing floors on the Island to please and satisfy locals and vistors alike, why spoil these tranquil surroundings that have become very rare in Malta for one excuse or another. Isnt the aggressive developments/expansions of Mellieha, Xemxija, Mgarr/Zebbiegh and all the rest enough to make us realise that enough is enough....The Maltese islands should have the very few last few remaining open spaces respected and protected and treated like gems....in a manner that make us proud, surely not setting up a dance floor!......whats next?
Marco Cremona
Oct 28th 2009, 21:10
@ M Sciberras
I agree with you completely.
As a friend and environmentalist, I was bitterly disappointed that JPO was in any way involved in the said development at Mistra.
However, as a citizen of this democratic country, he has every right to try and profit from a piece of land that he owns. But a citizen I also expect that MEPA acts in the national interest and protects us from rampant development and immediately discards applications that are non-starters - as was the case in point.
Unfortunately, MEPA does not have the guts to simply thow these non-starters out of the window, and give a clear message to opportunists and developers. Lack of decisiveness and consistency on the part of MEPA has prompted more developers to 'have a go' and submit even more non-starter applications - increasing MEPA's caseload and leading to more strange decisions.
JPO is only guilty of 'having a go' . He may also be guilty for being naive in believing that people giving him advice in the run up to the election were acting in his best interests. He is now a wiser man.
Charles J. Buttigieg
Oct 28th 2009, 20:49
@ Conrad Vella.
You need to read my last comment again. “As far as I remember the PL, the environmental NGOs, the Media and the people did not allege illegalities in the granting of the Mistra permit, the claim was irregularities and the rape of our environment. That has absolutely nothing to do with legalities. Accusing these two gentlemen with illegalities was a piece of theatrics and knowing too well that the accusation didn’t have a leg to stand on.”
Furthermore the MLP and the general public predicted this verdict. I also suggest you read the full text of the court sentence. The court declared that it was not its competence to judge whether or not the full process was all legal.
Albert Gauci Cunningham
Oct 28th 2009, 20:38
These 2 guys committed nothing criminal, period!! What is rather baffling in all this though is that the PN came out nearly all euphoric (lately they had nothing to be euphoric about so I'll give them that one!!) giving the impression that this judgement absolves everyone from the slightest taint and that therefore this saga was just a mudslinging excercise of which JPO has been the victim. Using this logic the PN should therefore allow JPO to build his spin valley (heqq la legali!!!), rehabilitate him completely within the PN (I agree with DeMartino), stop all the dirty manoeuvres against him and finally award him with the environment ministry!!! If these or at least the first two of these aren't done than we would have to be forgiven for thinking this Pn statement to be another sad attempt at trying to score brownie points with an electorate which is up to its nose with these PR stunts and theatrics!! Either the PN believes JPO is innocent or they regard him as a political liability and a threat!!
ALBERT FENECH
Oct 28th 2009, 19:54
Some people seem to be exercising bizarre logic. Because two members of the MEPA Board have been exonerated, they are interpreting this to mean that the person who tried to desecrate Mistra for personal profit (the guy who sniffled into his hankie during General Election time) is off the hook. What kind of logic is this?
A. Mizzi
Oct 28th 2009, 19:46
He should be.
Maltese Justice has again prevailed.
Justice being done, justice precieved to be done and justice seen to be done....well, that's another story........
Gerard Cassar
Oct 28th 2009, 19:37
Since a little time I have been keeping a statistic of court decisions. I have been looking as usual for the name of the Magistrate or Judge who delivered the senbtence, but in vain. Somewhat disillusioned
E. Vassallo
Oct 28th 2009, 19:06
@Marco Cremona
How do you know that Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando was going to be appointed to cabinet had the Mistra case not come up? Maybe he would not have been elected had the Mistra case not come up.
wally vella-zarb
Oct 28th 2009, 19:01
@ GiovDeMartino
"The PN has been fooling the Maltese people SINCE 1981!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Absolutely! It is good to see that you are finally admitting it. ;-)
However, it seems that they have done it once too often and anyone who hopes that they will be allowed to continue "fooling the Maltese people" - as you put it - for another term deserves a Nobel Prize for optimism.
J Martinelli
Oct 28th 2009, 18:52
@ Marco Cremona
The Prime Minister acted correctly in both John Dalli and JPO's cases. Rather than add fuel to the fire, he decided to wait until all investigations were complete and if either was vindicated, as John Dalli was, then at the right opportunity he gave him back a Ministry.
This court decision brings JPO's case closer to the truth and if all the probes find him innocent of all the allegations, then he too should be considered for future appointments as the PM deems suitable and JPO will have no problem contributing his maximum to the party and government.
In both cases, the LP was the instigator of a relentless mud slinging campaigns and in both cases, it looks like it has backfiring on the LP.
If, in JPO's case, the LP was so concerned about the impact on the environment at Mistra, then it should have attacked the project on that basis but not on legality or corruption, which allegations have unraveled magnificently in the case brought against Messrs. Azzopardi and Mifsud.
"Theatrics" on the part of the LP is the best description of this whole affair - but it almost cost the NP the victory!
GiovDeMartrino@Roderick bajada
Oct 28th 2009, 18:42
The PN has been fooling the Maltese people SINCE 1981!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
P.Cassar
Oct 28th 2009, 18:29
Most Maltese judged the situation months ago. Their verdict was based on whether it was JUST to have an unspoilt bay commercially ruined or not. Justice says NO but COURTS BASE THEIR JUDGEMENTS ON WRITTEN LAWS not on justice !!!
daniel farrugia
Oct 28th 2009, 18:26
if everyone is innocent, can somebody explain how the permit was issued and revoked when PL came out with this scandal?? how can anybody ask Pl for public apologies, when PL saved the beautiful valley! can you understand that the permit issued was a huge scandal, and now there is a greater scandal EVERYBODY IS INNOCENT!!
Anthony A. Mifsud
Oct 28th 2009, 18:10
Who was the judge? that tells me something!! ... well I rather wait till next general election and the we can see the real verdict.
Tony
Roderick Bajada
Oct 28th 2009, 17:57
Dear JPO, PM etc.
Who do you hink you are fooling? The Maltese people? The Labour voters? the PN voters? (certainly not the right minded ones).
Quoting Mepa statement: "The Authority has full trust in the Maltese jurisdiction," Mepa said. ....But I add that the majority of the Maltese people do not! and certainly we do not have any tiny bit of thrust in Mepa!
M Pace
Oct 28th 2009, 17:55
@Keith Spiteri & CO., the PL has nothing to hang down in shame but thanks to PL Mistra is not ruined. The acquital of these two does not mean that all is innocent and all is ok, it only means that these might have been used as scape goats, as their innocence was there from the begining and the real guilty ones may have got scott free. Is it not true Pullicino Orland's plot was being converted into a Disco? I rest my case.
J Busuttil
Oct 28th 2009, 17:51
To all Labour people: The verdict was NOT GUILTY and that means that the PL tried as always to throw mud but instead it reversed bach into the PL's face. The PL has another apology to make. Keep it up JPO.
MSciberras
Oct 28th 2009, 17:27
@Marco Cremona
I have followed this case closely and never had the slightest doubt that there would be an acquittal. Legally, he did not do anything wrong, that was clear from the start. You seem to miss exactly why JPO triggered such disgust and revulsion. This was about being even remotely involved with an aplication to build an open air disco in a beautiful, unspoilt valley. Politicians, especially ones who associate themselves with environmental issues, have a stricter bible to follow than the rest of us.
CONRAD VELLA
Oct 28th 2009, 17:27
@ CHARLES BUTTIGIEG
Are you serious?????? the Pl (still mlp then) did not allege irregularities in the granting of the permit??????????? Were you around last year.?????? Even today alfred sant is implying that thousands ofliri passed hands in the granting of the permit!!!!!! I am sure you used to see Super one whenever they got this case, They used to start at 6am and finish at 5.59am of the following day reporting about this case and how thousands of liri passed hands. Even books were written. Good joke that of the mlp talking about this case in order to safeguard the enviroment.!!!!!
T Cassar
Oct 28th 2009, 17:09
The real judgement in this case will come at the next election!
Peter Bonnici
Oct 28th 2009, 16:49
I don't fully agree with the PN statement. A Not Guilty verdict is not a declaration of innocence, as far as I know.
Someone once said that 'the absence of evidence is not evidence of absence'.
Marco Cremona
Oct 28th 2009, 16:38
@ Giov Demartino
You say and I quote that "Dr. J.P. Orlando should be rehabilitated!".
Yes, but by whom? As far as I know it was Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi who - in front of allegations that have now been proven to be otherwise - jumped to the conclusion that Jeffery wronged and publicly stated that Jeffery Pullicino Orlando has place in his cabinet.
This situation is no different from what happened to John Dalli, who also was sacrificed by Gonzi on the basis of another false allegation, and subsequently 'rehabilitated'.
If the Prime Minister wants to be consistent he should publicly apologise to JPO and re-instate him within the party and appoint him to cabinet (which would have been the case had the Mistra case not come up).
Charles J. Buttigieg
Oct 28th 2009, 16:32
As far as I remember the PL, the environmental NGOs the Media and the people did not allege illegalities in the granting of the Mistra permit, the claim was irregularities and the rape of our environment.That has absolutely nothing to do with legalities. Accusing these two gentlemen with illegalities was a piece of theatrics and knowing too well that the accusation didn’t have a leg to stand on.
jesmond zammit
Oct 28th 2009, 16:31
pressure or not someone is responsable for this permit but who?
Neville Zammit
Oct 28th 2009, 16:02
Thanks to Dr Alfred Sant and the PL the ruin of the Mistra Village did not happened and was avoided.
A.Muscat
Oct 28th 2009, 15:59
So the Nationalist Party is in favor of having a Spin Valley disco at Mistra. Go on Jeffrey you can do it now. You have the backing of everyone, and I can promise you that I'll be your first customer as soon as you open the doors waving the European Union flag in that Natura 2000 site!
Btw we should also ask MEPA the reason why on the 27 th June 2008, its board unanimously revoked the outline permit for your disco in Mistra on the grounds that the decision to approve the project was illegal! Was it legal or not Dr Gonzi?
p agius
Oct 28th 2009, 15:56
@ Giov deMartino
Rehabilitated???? Come on!! after causing so much embarrassment two the PN and after putting the PN's victory in peril...
The law courts did not rule that there were no irregularities in the case...It only stated that the two above mentioned officials were not found guilty.....The outcome of this verdict does not imply that THE mistra case was regular and in line with the law
c. camilleri
Oct 28th 2009, 15:52
Is it possible for Dr Pullicino to sue his accusers for damages.?
Joe Cassar
Oct 28th 2009, 15:52
This does not change the fact that Dr Pullicino Orlando stated publicly that he knew nothing about the case and was later revealed to have signed contracts which showed he was fully involved.
Darren J. Galea
Oct 28th 2009, 15:51
Phew - for a minute there I was worried that there may have been something fishy there. What a relief ;)
Comforting to know that the illustrious PN is consolidating itself with a view to survive the duration of this legislature...
GiovDeMartino
Oct 28th 2009, 14:56
"The Pn has hailed the court decision......truth has prevailed" That is not enough. Dr. J.P> Orlando should be rehabilitated!
James Grech
Oct 28th 2009, 14:53
Just curious, cause there has been so much said about this issue that one fails to apprehend whether after all the permit was legal and that JPO can resume with his plans.
M. Friggieri
Oct 28th 2009, 14:44
The accusations leveled by the PL were against JPO who on one hand waved his green credentials for political gain and behind the scenes was going to allow the ruin of Mistra on his land.
This Judgment does not go in any manner into this fact.
Thanks to the PL this development was abandoned.
keith spiteri
Oct 28th 2009, 14:36
PL should place a public apology towards JPO.
Tony Mangion
Oct 28th 2009, 14:31
Dr. Alfred Sant did not run away from a public debate on the Mistra case but wanted to see that everbody abide by the law which covered such debates. It would have been more appropriate had the Times of Malta added to this report, the scandalous way J.P.O.,a then Member of the House of Representative, had acquired the press reporter ticket just a few minutes prior to the debate.
S.Darmanin
Oct 28th 2009, 14:30
A "not guilty" verdict does not mean one is declared "innocent". In criminal proceedings one has to prove a 100% responsibility beyond reasonable doubt for a guilty verdict to be handed down. Therefore even a 99% indication is not enough.