Arrigo asked us to favour his people
Nikki Dimech admits to €4,500 monthly drug habit
Ousted mayor Nikki Dimech told the police his predecessor, Robert Arrigo, a Nationalist Member of Parliament and a businessman, had asked the Sliema local council to give his employees preference over other job applicants. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi
Ousted Sliema mayor Nikki Dimech told police that Nationalist MP and businessman Robert Arrigo had asked the local council to prefer “his people” over others for council jobs, a court heard yesterday.
Mr Dimech made the allegation in one of four statements he gave to the police, Inspector Angelo Gafà testified yesterday before Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit in the compilation of evidence against the former mayor, who stands charged with soliciting a bribe.
The 31-year-old former PN mayor is accused of asking Stephen Buhagiar, formerly employed as Mr Arrigo’s driver, for a five to 10 per cent commission on his €1,200 monthly salary in return for the job of contracts manager with the Sliema local council.
Mr Buhagiar said he was shocked by the request and refused but he still got the job. Some six months later, he was dismissed by the council during a sitting for which Mr Dimech was absent. He complained about what he felt was an unfair dismissal to the Director of Local Government, Martin Bugelli and it was here that he made his allegation about the bribe solicited by Mr Dimech. Mr Bugelli in turn informed the police.
During police questioning, Mr Dimech claimed that shortly after the council decided on the dismissal, Mr Buhagiar had met him together with Mr Arrigo. The two were trying to persuade him to reverse the council’s decision and, during the meeting, in which another PN councillor, Yves Calì, was present, tensions began to rise and Mr Calì and Mr Arrigo shouted at each other. The two, according to Mr Dimech, then sorted out the matter at party level.
Mr Dimech claimed that Mr Arrigo had instructed the councillors to “favour his people” for council jobs.
These claims were included in one of the four statements Mr Dimech made to the police and Mr Gafà noted in court these were conflicting and even diametrically opposed to each other on some points.
The officer said that when Mr Dimech was first summoned for questioning he admitted asking for a commission. The conversation was not recorded, the inspector explained, adding it was normal practice not to record interrogations unless they were dealing with very serious cases.
The interrogation continued and when Mr Dimech was making his first written statement, he insisted it was Mr Buhagiar who offered him a commission in return for the job, a claim he repeated in a confrontation between the two. However, Mr Dimech doubled back again in a second statement later that afternoon, when he again admitted he was the one to ask for a cut.
When asked why he had done so, Mr Dimech refused to answer, this being the only question he did not reply to in all four statements produced as evidence in court. Then, in a third statement, Mr Dimech returned to the version of having been offered money, Mr Gafà testified.
The officer also said in court that in the course of a conversation at the police headquarters, which was not recorded, Mr Dimech admitted he had an expensive drug habit that cost him €4,500 to €5,000 a month. When asked what drug he took, Mr Dimech did not answer but pressed a nostril and mimicked sniffing a line.
He refused assistance to overcome his addiction, saying he could look after himself as he had done in the past.
Yet, when it came to putting all this in a statement, Mr Gafà said Mr Dimech took everything back, saying he did not presently have a drug problem but did so in the past. He even disclosed he had been investigated over the fatal overdose of a close friend 10 years ago, when he spent more than a day in custody but was then released.
Mr Dimech was asked about claims he had made in the media that he had signed his admission under duress. (Mr Dimech had insisted in the press he had signed the statement where the request for a bribe was mentioned because he suffered a panic attack and was refused his inhaler.)
The officer insisted in court yesterday that what Mr Dimech had told the press was incorrect and that he had offered Mr Dimech his inhaler when it was brought to him by a police sergeant.
With regard to medication, an issue that was also brought up, the inspector said he could not let him have it because he did not have a doctor’s prescription. However, Mr Dimech said he did not need anything when asked.
When reminded about this, Mr Dimech said he had not accepted the medication because it could be used against him. However, when asked what he meant, he simply replied he was not familiar with police procedure.
Mr Gafà said he had been informed by officers on duty at the lockup that Mr Dimech had been placed in one of the section’s larger rooms and seemed relaxed and even had a nap.
With regard to claims he was not allowed to see his lawyer, Michael Sciriha, Mr Gafà said the two spent a quarter of an hour on the phone after the police did their utmost to contact the lawyer who was abroad.
Under cross-examination, defence lawyers Stephen Tonna Lowell and Joe Giglio asked the officer whether it was true he had denied Mr Dimech a chance to tell the truth.
The officer confirmed that, after the first statement, Mr Dimech had asked him for five minutes to tell him what really happened. However, he did not accept, because, at that point in time, he felt he needed to confront Mr Buhagiar.
The defence team also asked whether Mr Dimech was undressed in the lockup and the officer denied that at some point Mr Dimech had been stark naked, adding it was normal procedure to search suspects.
The case will continue in two months’ time.
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Jon Agius
Sep 25th 2010, 18:45
“That’s the thing about greed, Arch, it’s blind. And it doesn’t know when to stop” Taken from a movie, suitable for this situation. And there's no one able to control it.
Fenech M D
Sep 25th 2010, 16:50
Nismaghhom jghidu li meta l-qarnita ma ssibx tiekol iddur ghas-swaba taghha stess. 1 Il-PN m'ghadx fadallu aktar gideb x'jaqla' fuq il-LP, allura 2 Qed idur ghal-gideb fuq nies tieghu stess ghax il-korruzzjoni fil-PN tant hakmitu li ma jistax jikkontrollha aktar.
GiovDeMartino@Fenech MD
Sep 25th 2010, 20:05
Capcpulu lis-Sur fenech ghax sewwa qal. Ghalhekk il-qarnira daret ghas-salvatur, bidlitu fi traditur u ippruvat tahbat ghalih fizikament. Imnalla kien hemm il-pulizija. X'cuc hu Salamun. U x'ipokrizija! Il-Pn ha passi kontra min ammetta hu stess li kien korrott u l-lejburisti ta' zero tolerance fame, jippruvaw jiddefendu lil min ammetta li hu korrott.
Joe Fenech
Sep 25th 2010, 23:32
GIovann, facli taghti ezempju biz-zghir biex taghti l-impresjsoni ii qed taghmel xi haga u biex tottjeni ftit kredibilita in vista ta l-elezzjoni!
John Azzopardi
Sep 25th 2010, 07:55
I think this case should be referred to the European Ethics commission. Malta 2010 and like everywhere else of course, it's who you know that matters.
Pierre Portelli
Sep 25th 2010, 06:45
Come on! I can't believe this police officer!! I can't even picture an intelligent young man; a qualified accountant and one of the leading tax specialists in the country, admitting to a drug habit to an investigating police officer investigating corruption charges, completely unrelated to drug abuse! Not only but Mr. Dimech allegedly also mimicked snorting a line of coke! LOL
Does this police officer really expect to be beleived?
William Wallace
Sep 25th 2010, 00:34
I'm sorry this is news how?
The whole "it's not what you know, it's WHO you know" is a deeply ingrained fact of Maltese life I thought, even I have called in favours from GWU higher-ups to get me work in places like Group 4 Securicor or ST Microelectronics.
Seriously, this is actually SURPRISING you all? I bet half of you got their jobs via dishonesty anyways.
axuereb
Sep 25th 2010, 16:04
and your thank you is by writing it down on TOM online comments.Really!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
oliver mallia
Sep 23rd 2010, 23:02
@GiovDEMartino
Sur DeMartino . Some times I support you, some times I don’t. But what you said at first! “Ara jien kieku kelli nkun ministru ukoll nippreferi lil dawk ta qrib tieghi” that’s how the system presently is working . It is irrelevant for paying VAT u jiddikjaraw kull sold. Hemm bahar jaqsam min Sewwa kien jaghmel Arrigo ghax kieku jien, U INTOM ILKOLL KEMM INTOM, bhalu kont naghmel. Oqbra mbajda! You had been a councillor if not mistaking, that what you use to do? I am doing my best to join the St Paul’s Bay Local Council and some times I join, u qas jaddili min mohhi li inbabas (flus misruqa nies mahruqa) Exactly, that’s what I am afraid of, that some one will frame me up. Regard your second comment, I am only 31 years old and most that you had mentioned is history for me and for other persons of my age that are open minded. Regard PN & PL fejn jaqbel qabel.
GiovDeMartino@Oliver Mallia
Sep 25th 2010, 06:27
It-tbabis u serq ta' flus INT semmejthom Sur Mallia u naccertak li jien dawk l-affarijiet anqas biss nohlomhom. Dak serq. Imma nirrepeti, u kulhadd jirrepeti mieghi, li jien, int u kulhadd, jekk mikollu c-cans, jippreferi lil ta' madwaru. Bla dubju. Kulhadd jipprova jaqbez il-kju anki biex jixtri kwart kunserva. Dak li allegatament ghamel Robert Arrigo jaghmlu kull mahluq u kull wiehed minna, jekk ikollu c-cans, jaghmlu hu u jkel;lem lil min hu fuqu ha jkun jista' jaghmlu. Ma noqoghdux nilaghbuha tad-dojoq. Hija normalissma li jekk jien ghandi bicca cikkulata l-ewwel ma ntiha lil dawk qrib tieghi. Il-korruzzjoni meta ministru jitfa' f'butu eluf ta' liri biex jaghtik permess ghall-bini, importazzjoni; meta jitfa' f'butu xi 50 lira halli tiehu relefon, TV set...Stejjer twal hafna. Il-problema taghna hi li int u hafna ta' l-eta tieghek dak li semmejt jien huwa history. Titkexkex tiftakar minn x'hiex ghaddejna taht il-lejber...idahhluk id-depot, jittorturawk u johorguk mejjet. Il-VAT, TAXXI ecc. ghandhom iva dawn x'jaqsmu mela le. L-onesta trid tkun f'kollox. Jekk ministru jaghti job lil ta' madwaru jkun dizonest u jekk jien naqla elf u niddikjara mija jien ma mnkunx dizonest. Anqas jekk nitfa l-VAT f'buti flok nghaddiha lill-Gvern. Inkompli darb'ohra, jekk trid.
Manuel micallef
Sep 23rd 2010, 22:13
What a mess!!
The issue here is that if the police/court are to believe what Nikki DImech is saying, then they should not beleive parts of what he says and parts they don't. Either all, or nothing.
That means that they should also beleive him when he says that Arrigo asked for favours for his people - which is actually an act of corruption.
that means they should now investigate Arrigo....
and the story goes on.......!!!
as Gonzi once said " corruption is only a perception" bless him!!
Alex Debono
Sep 23rd 2010, 22:09
Kollha Propoganda din... biex jintessa l-kaz tal-BWSC.... u l-vittma spicca Nikki... Tal-PN mhumux cwiec... qe jippruvaw inessu lin-nies hafna affarijiet ghar mi din.
Simon Camilleri
Sep 23rd 2010, 19:43
So the saying goes ... Old habits die hard!
Political parties should never recruit ex-criminals that will 99 times on 100, go on and cheat the country and the people that voted for him.
PN - this is a lesson to be learnt.
d.magro
Sep 23rd 2010, 15:59
X`hemm tal-hama ? Nies allegatament bil-vizzju u nvestigati jmexxu kunsill ? Fejn spiccajna
Karl Abela
Sep 23rd 2010, 15:24
Lets not be disillusioned. This is Malta for you, no matter who is in government.
What's wrong is wrong, no doubt about that and there are no excuses for the people who abuse power, however if you people really think that with a labour government corruption will be a thing of the past then you are being seriously misled by some big mouth puppets who want your votes.
There are COUNTLESS business and COUNTLESS contractors who are waiting for the moment to use their connections to win contracts or to get permits for their already built illegal properties.
Mario Attard
Sep 23rd 2010, 15:19
Dear citizens of Malta, kindly remember that corruption is only YOUR PERCEPTION. Proof of this is the fact that Toinio Fenech and PM Gonzi said so!....period!
marija falzon
Sep 23rd 2010, 15:09
And what about BWSC?
GiovDeMartino
Sep 23rd 2010, 18:13
Kulhadd idurli mal-lkewza u ma jwegibni HADD> Maria Falzon trid taghti l-impressjoni li tifhem hafna. What about BWSC saqsiet. Int taf sinjura/ina Jekk taf b'xi haga aghmel bhalma ghamel PBO: ikkuntattja lill-kummissarju tal-pulizija. Facli le? Tinsiex li dawn ta' hawn taht, apparti jien, kollha onestissmi.
Noel Barry
Sep 23rd 2010, 14:54
To all those Socialists, Labourites, Mintoffians etc etc who are posting here. I have not heard or read anything from you regarding the Fgura Labour mayor and why he was ousted from the post, nor about the Lija Labour councillor or the Gzira Labour Deputy Mayor. KULLHADD GHANDU XI XOMM TAHT IDEJH.
Raymond Camilleri
Sep 23rd 2010, 14:38
As usual Giov deMartino apologetic for the tribal way of doing politics Labour and PN have perpetuated throughout the years.. monkeys would do better.... prosit x'ragunament sur giovann!
J. Mifsud
Sep 23rd 2010, 14:26
Bhala cittadin Malti li nhallas sa l-icken centezmu f'taxxi, Nixtieq naghmel ftit mistoqsijiet:-
Huwa allegat li s-Sur Nikki Dimech talab ghal kummissjoni ta' bejn 5 u 10% mis-salarju ta' kull xahar tas-Sur Buhagiar. Nistaqsi: is-Sur Buhagiar irraporta din l-allegazzjoni dak inhar stess jew meta gie terminat il-kuntratt mill-kunsill?
X'se jaghmel Dr Gonzi fuq dawn l-allegazzjonijiet, bhala amministratur tat-taxxi li nhallsu ahna? Qieghed nalludi ghal kull allegazzjoni.
Hadd ma jlum lit-'taxpayer' li jhossu mhawwad hafna b'dak kollu li qieghed jigri u b'dawn l-allegazzjonijiet kollha.
Chris Ebejer
Sep 23rd 2010, 14:15
No wonder we are living in a 1 big mess!
These people treat themselves and pretend to be as the crème de la crème of the Maltese contemporary society.
I would rather share a loaf of bread with a kaccatur or a delettant tan-nar than god forbids if ever happen to associate myself with this kind of elite!!
Joseph Cauchi
Sep 23rd 2010, 13:20
Giving credence and power to an allegedly self-confessed drug addict (who spends around €5,000 per month) is way beyond reason!
Shouldn’t all prospective candidates for local and general elections be duly vetted, irrespective of which party they belong?
The elector should have his/her mind at rest that any prospective candidate is trustworthy and a person of integrity before one casts his/her vote.
However, with hindsight, we are always a lot smarter after the event!
JC.
gcForte
Sep 23rd 2010, 12:49
Waqt li naqbel hafna ma dak li ktibt, nemmen li dawk il kunsilli li ikunu immexxijien li l-maggoranza ikunu jirraprezentaw lil min ikun fil gvern,( ikun min ikun fil gvern ) ikunu aktar xuxxetibbli li jaqaw fil korruzzjoni. F`dan il kaz qeghdin naraw ( dejjem jekk huwa veru ), kif membri fil parlament b`mod specjali min ikun fil gvern, qeghed jabbuza mill kunsilli. Jien nemmen li ghal gid ta kullhadd, jekk mil qorti tohrog li is sur Robert Arrigo, veru kien involut, dan ghandu jghazel it triq ta l-irgulija, u iddabbar rasu.B`hekk jghati tbezbiza lil l-ohrajn, sabiex lil kunsilli ihallhom joperaw fil kwiet, u mhux jaqaw fil korruzzjoni. Sewwa kien jghejdli in nannu " li hadd ma jghamel xejn ghal xejn ". Ahna ic cittadini ghandha nitghallmu biex ma inhalltux gvern centrali u kunsilli.
J.Pace
Sep 23rd 2010, 12:47
What next?
Is Arrigo going to be questioned by police? Is he going to be taken to the police, treated the same way Dimech was treated, (jailed for few hours, make a body search etc, forced to sign to be able to leave, not be able to explain the truth after he signed as the police decided it was enough for him?).
Is PBO going do the same thing, asking all the other MPs to vote against Arrigo, so that he
leaves the party? To have a GonziPN club corruption free, as he said he wants, or only with the small fish he makes a show?
I am really looking forward how the PN will react with his MP in question.
Zammit Aaron
Sep 23rd 2010, 12:25
@Giov Demartino 'Mhux pjaciri - Drittijiet' kien iwerzaq l-ex Ministru Michael Frendo, illum Speaker. U dan ghax tal-labour kienu jaghmlu l-pjacir (30 sena ilu) lil kostitwenti. Anzi Eddie kien issejhilha 'korruzzzjoni istituzjonalizata'. Mela dak li kien hazin ghall-Labour sar tajjeb ghall-PN issaSur Demartino? Sparajt ghal saqqajk din il-darba habib. PN skadut. Ghandu ragun il-labour jghid li l-elezzjoni tat-2008 intrebhet bi pjaciri personali li saru man-nies lejliet l-elezzjoni. Ghax dawn il-pjaciri personali issa ahseb u ara x'fernezija lejliet elezzjoni.
GiovDeMartino@Zammit aaron
Sep 23rd 2010, 14:33
Hemm bahar jaqsam bejn il-paroli u l-fatti Sur Zammit. Kieku INT kont ministru, kieku kif tagixxi? Mhux qed insemmi l-korruzzzjoni bhal meta ministru kien johodlok villa biex itik, permess; jew meta jixroblok eluf ta' liri biex timporta xi haga; jew meta tmur il-bank u ghax tkunZejtuni ta' gewwa u jisilfuk eluf kbar ta' liri fuq ix-xejn; jew meta jitolbuk 50 lira ghal-TV tal-kulur, jew telefon; mhux qed nghid ghal meta mp laburist itella' lotterija post ma;l-gvern, jew ghal meta lejliet elezzjoni jitqabbdu 8000 haddiem mal-gvern Anqas qed nghid ghal meta l-gazzetta tal-Gvern, "bi zball" gabet kejl hazin halli certu persuna jidhol spettur, jew ghal meta Cikku li anqqs jaf min hu Gamri jakkuzawh bil-qtil tieghu u jpoggulu l-arma fir-razzett; jew ghal meta xi akkuzat jahrab mid-depot u jsibuh mejjet..............Nistrieh ghal issa. Jien insaqsik jekk TKUN INT ministru lil min tiffavorixxi? Ara tigdeb! Int tiddikjara kull sold li taqla' Int kif thallas bil-VAT jew bla VAT? Taghtiha l-gurnata tax-xoghol tieghek? Il-lejburisti jibzghu minni izjed mill-bard ta' Jannar u jinjorawni. Did darba insabthielkom u gegheltkom titkellmu. Haw miftuh ghal-laburisti BISS. L-ewwel il-lab, it-tieni il-lab, it-tielet il-laburisti u jekk jibqa'.....il-laburisti. Nistenna minn ghandek Sur Zammit
GiovDeMartino@ AAron Zammit
Sep 23rd 2010, 17:14
Meta jien semmejt il-korruzzjoni ma kellix f'mohhi dik li ntik plot/flat/villa biex niehu permess ghall-bini; anqas dik li nhallas eluf ta' liri biex niehu permess nimporta xi haga; anqas dik li nhallas xi 50 lira biex niehu telefon jew televizin; anqas dik li mmur id-depot niccelebra l-hruq ta' xi kazin, anqas dik li nahrab mid-depot u ninstab mejjet f'xi wied, jew li nkun akkuzat bil-qtil ta' xi hadd li anqas inkun nafu, jew li ntella' lotterija bi premju post mal-gvern, jew li ndahhal 8000 ruh mal-gvern lejliet l-elezzjoni, jhew li "bi zball" naghti kejl hazin fil-gazzetta tal-gvern biex xi hadd jilhaq japplika, jew li "haw miftuh ghal-laburisti biss....ecc. ecc.Kieku INT SUR ZAMMIT kont ministru u jkollok taghzel ghal pjacir, lil min taghzel lili li nahdem ghal gonzipn, lil min jikkanvassja ghalik, lil huk? Lil min? Tigdibx. Int tiddikjara kull sold li taqla', thallas bil-VAT jew bla VAT? taghtiha l-gurnata tax-xoghol tieghek......Is-soltu lili tinjorawni ghax tibzghu minni izjed mil-bard ta' Jannar. Imma int dhalt fin-nassa. Iva sewwa ghamel Robert Arrigo ghax ghamel bhalma jaghmlu l-politici kollha ta' kull naha, imma hemm korruzzjoni u hemm korruzzjoni. Nistenna minn ghandek. Kun sincvier, imma, bhali.
F J Brincat
Sep 24th 2010, 07:46
Demartino. So you condone corruption as long as it is done by the PN. Had it been done by Labour then it would have been a crime probably punishable by death had it been up to you, but no, since it is your government, then it is ok.
Wasn't it Dr Fench Adami himself who once stated that he who does not condemn corruption can be construed as being corrupted themselves?
Ghidli ftit, minn ser jibza minnek? Minn?
ms ghoare
Sep 23rd 2010, 11:57
He done this and he done that , what is this Island coming too, I dont know,yet on the other hand it is good to know that these things are not being sweapt under the carpet.
Maybe we need to dig deep when it comes to individuals that wants to run for council elections do a good backround checks not just trust as who he knows or whos family belongs too but purely on what he is capable of .In other countries the Council have to provide detailed proof of everything is spent to every household to know where all the money is going .Maybe one day it will get to that point .
Vince Calleja
Sep 23rd 2010, 11:39
Are we still sure corruption is ONLY a perception as the PM declared? Is the PM going to the Police commisioner or he is waiting for a lift like the one offered to Charlon Gouder?
gcForte
Sep 23rd 2010, 12:30
You just have hit the head of the nail with a big hammer.
gcForte
Sep 23rd 2010, 11:37
@ Mr. Paul Konti....I hope that Mr. Paul Konti read this article, so he will learn of how corruption should be. Even in another million years to come, there will be the corrupt and the corrupted, whoever is governing. As long as we are called humans, corruption is the name of the game of every day.
GiovDEMartino
Sep 23rd 2010, 11:33
Kemm niehu gost ninduna kemm haw nies onesti f'"Malta! Barra jien. Ara jien kieku kelli nkun ministru ukoll nippreferi lil dawk ta qrib tieghi u lil dawk li jkunu hadmu ghalija. Imma jien mhiniex onest bhal dawn ta' hawn taht. Dawn ta' hawn taht jiddikjaraw kull sold li jaqilghu, jibzghu hafna ghall-ambjent, ihallsu l-VAT....il-veru onesti. U jekk huma jkunu ministri bl-ebda mod ma jharsu lejn il-wicc u lejn il-kulur ta' dak li jkun. U jekk ikollhom plot wiehed x'jaghtu ma jtuhx lil huhom, jew lil min ikun hadem ghalihom...le lili kieku jtuh! Sewwa kien jaghmel Arrigo ghax kieku jien, U INTOM ILKOLL KEMM INTOM, bhalu kont naghmel. Oqbra mbajda!
gcForte
Sep 23rd 2010, 11:54
GiovDEMartino..................Il punt tat tluq huwa li int l-ewwel wiehed dejjem tpingi hazin lil kullhadd specjalment dak li jghamel il P.L. u ghax hemm din il kummidja fi hdan il P.N. hriegt tiddefendihom. Jigifieri li dejjem tara it traba f`ghajn haddiehor u ma intiex tara it travu li ghandkhom fil P.N. ...QATT MA TISTA TIGGUSTIFIKA L- HAZIN BILLI TGHAMEL IL HAZIN,, bhal ma qeghed tghid int Sur Demartino.
GVella
Sep 23rd 2010, 12:06
Are you being serious???
R.Gauci
Sep 23rd 2010, 12:08
Sur De Martino kont tghid hekk fi zmien it-tmenijiet meta l-Labour kien fil-Gvern u saret hafna koruzzjoni li ghalinqas dak iz-zmien kien igawdi minnha kulhadd u mhux erba tal-qalba biss?!
Vera fil-hawt ta' l-ilma mbierek kullhadd ibill subajh u iva l-koruzzjoni tezisti f'Malta bhal ma tezisti kullimkien fid-dinja specjalment meta certi nies jibqaw fil-poter ghal hafna tul ta'zmien u dan naghti tort tieghu lil poplu Malti imma l-hazin huwa li nippruvaw nahbuha bhal ma ghamel Dr.Gonzi meta qal li din hija biss "perception" jigifieri li n- nies qed jivvintaw sur De Martino hemm il-hazin u n-nies ghandhom dritt jghidu l-verita kif sejrin l-affarijiet!!!
P.Cassar
Sep 23rd 2010, 12:37
GIOVAN
KEEP ON WRITING LIKE THIS WHEN CORRUPTION IS ATTRIBUTED TO THE PL IN YEARS GONE BY, BECAUSE IN SUCH INSTANCES YOU REFER TO DOOM AND GLOOM EVEN THOUGH I REMEMBER YOU ALWAYS LAUGHING AND CRACKING JOKES TO US.
Robert Callus
Sep 23rd 2010, 12:43
Are you justifying corruption Mr Demartino. I'm not a saint Mr Demartino but I've always paid my taxes and did my best not to harm the environment. I also refrain from voting politicians that are likely to be corrupt. One of the many reasons I vote the Greens.
Joseph Aquilina
Sep 23rd 2010, 13:54
GiovDEMartino, are you condoning corruption with your comment? Because that is how it sounds to me.
J. Mifsud
Sep 23rd 2010, 14:08
Sur Demartino,
L-anqas irrid nemmen lil ghajnejja fuq din il-kitba li ktibt int. X'ma mmorrux lura bhal granc meta wiehed jara li ghad baqa nies li jahsbuha bhalek!!!!!!!
Hekka timxi fuq il-kelma ta' Kristu ukoll!!!. Tmurx titqarben kuljum ukoll. Sa mn'Alla m'ghandek l-ebda awtorita' f'idejk ghaliex kieku ggibna nieklu lil xulxin.
Dak progress fl-imhuh Eh!!!!! Dak principji!!!!!
Tajjeb wiehed jiehu nota ta' dawn il-kitbiet sabiex jekk u meta jinbidel il- gvern wiehed iqabbel x'inkiteb illum ma' dak ta' li jinkiteb ghada. Imbaghad naraw l-inkonsistenza.
Paul Micallef
Sep 23rd 2010, 17:27
Oqbra imbajda? il purritan u lis-speaker ta dak kollhu li hu PN.
U hallina my friend, int dak li hemm imnsifer? jaqaw qed twitti it-triq ghal xi xoghol meta tigi lura??? Mar riedx nidhol fil personali, imma ghalija tnejn hziena ma jaghamlux wiehed tajjeb. imma jien fejn naf jiem LABURIST.
Paul Micallef
Victor Fiorini
Sep 23rd 2010, 11:17
What a fine examples of tribal politics...monkeys would do a better job.
F J Brincat
Sep 23rd 2010, 13:46
Sur DeMartino. Bhall ma qed tghid int stess - l-affarijiet nbidlu billi baqaw l-istess hux hekk?
gcForte
Sep 23rd 2010, 11:08
Quote.. " Arrigo asked us to favour his people "........I will never believe that a P.N. member of parliament, do such things. Considering that these P.N. members of parliament are God send, that the sun rises only when they are governing, how can they be accused of such things. These things only the M.L.P.do them, like the big scandal, of that only " Deserta chocolate "of the Chinese you can have in Malta.
wendy brown
Sep 23rd 2010, 16:38
Sorry who ever you are , do you mean that the members of the Labour Party are the devils of this island and the members of the PN are angels? If I were you I will stick my head in the sand.
a calleja
Sep 23rd 2010, 18:54
@wendy
you obviously do not understand what a sarcastic comment is :)
Joseph Cauchi
Sep 23rd 2010, 11:08
The saying of “stop digging when in a hole” isn’t more apt as in this case!
Didn’t Nikki Dimech see the writing on the wall?
Pity!
JC.
R.Gauci
Sep 23rd 2010, 11:05
People don't worry as someone said the corruption cases happening on the Maltese Islands are just a PERCEPTION !!!
Stephen Spiteri
Sep 23rd 2010, 10:58
Aren't people with a drug habit normally accused of such a habit and brought in front of the courts too ?
E Mifsud
Sep 23rd 2010, 10:56
What do expect after having the same party in power for so long. Everyone knows how contracts are won, people who are friends of ministers and government MPs think they have a divine right to take it all. It's not simply being nationalist, you must be in the inner circle. This country is crying for a HUGE change, in the mean time our best brains keep moving to other countries where they are treated as proper citizens.
Ramon Casha
Sep 23rd 2010, 10:48
^ grabs a bag of popcorn and settles down to watch
gcForte
Sep 23rd 2010, 11:12
Ramon Casha.....Can you be kind enough and tell me on which T.V. station it is on ?
D. Scerri
Sep 23rd 2010, 11:35
@gcForte
Disney Channel. Where else would it be?
ASpiteri
Sep 23rd 2010, 10:33
the present political class...the true representation of Junk Politics!
r ferriggi
Sep 23rd 2010, 10:17
my oh my....... what a beauty.
are these guys running the country??
nice one.
Bella Gatt
Sep 23rd 2010, 11:00
Running the country? You surely mean ruining the country... Not that there is much left to ruin...