Advert
Print
Tuesday, January 10, 2012, 22:30

Debono refuses to declare clearly that he will bring down the government

'I am not your parrot, nobody's parrot'

Franco Debono this evening refused to clearly declare on Bondi+ that he wants to bring down the government.

Asked repeatedly by Lou Bondi whether he would declare he would bring down the government, especially after what he told timesofmalta.com on how he will vote in Parliament on the Budget Measures Implementation Bill, Dr Debono insisted that he had said what he needed to say, and he was not a parrot. He also asked Mr Bondi why he was insisting on that question when there was so much more to say.

In a two hour programme, Dr Debono, who was highly agitated at times, insisted that Dr Gonzi should resign, saying he should have done so immediately after the divorce referendum, rather than vote against the will of the majority.

The programme was a battle of wits at times, with Dr Debono and Mr Bondi questioning each other and Dr Debono at times accusing Bondi of twisting things around, claims which Mr Bondi denied. Mr Bondi repeatedly complained that Dr Debono was going off at a tangent and not replying directly to his questions.

Dr Debono confirmed that he would not stand for re-election for as long as Dr Gonzi was at the helm of the PN, but said he did not know what would happen if Dr Gonzi was not there. He ruled out standing as an independent.

His purpose, Dr Debono repeatedly stressed, was to promote democracy. He admitted that he never told the prime minister to resign before his declaration on Friday afternoon (after the Cabinet reshuffle) but said his views had been made clear to the prime minster for months. He had particularly stressed with the prime minister that he disagreed with Carm Mifsud Bonnici's policies at the Ministry of Justice.

Dr Debono also complained that despite his various actions and despite promises of change from the government, nothing had changed, and that was what had precipitated the present situation. It was not because he was not made a minister, he said. He would not have agreed to become a minister for just one year.

But Dr Debono said he was eminently qualified to serve but had not been given the opportunity.

Asked why he had published his secondary school certificates, Dr Debono said he had been accused of acting like a child, and he had therefore shown his childhood certificates to show his capabilities, even when he was a child. 

Dr Debono repeatedly complained of the libel laws and lack of progress in many areas including the right of access to a lawyer by arrested persons. He criticised the government's decisions on the power station and said his actions in the no confidence vote against minister Austin Gatt were not motivated by a personal desire to see Austin Gatt removed, but a clamour by the people for those who had failed - as in the case of the bus service reform - to shoulder their responsibilities.

Unfortunately, he said, the Cabinet reshuffle showed that no one assumed responsibility for his actions. The prime minister, he said, was still controlled by a clique around him.

He refused to say who was in the clique, telling Lou Bondi that tht was something which he should investigate.

Print
Advert

186 Comments

Post comment

Comments are submitted under the express understanding and condition that the editor may, and is authorised to, disclose any/all of the above personal information to any person or entity requesting the information for the purposes of legal action on grounds that such person or entity is aggrieved by any comment so submitted.

At this time your comment will not be displayed immediately upon posting. Please allow some time for your comment to be moderated before it is displayed.

Your User Profile is incomplete.
Please click here to complete your profile before posting comments.

N. Galea

Jan 12th, 17:52

u zgur li tghidu hekk in nazzjonalisti ghax qed jikxef kollox u juri kemm laroganza tal 25 sena qed tghamel taghha!

Tracy Farrugia

Jan 13th, 13:31

a genuine, well-mannered MP leaves his phone on and right in front of him during a live interview?

Francis Attard

Jan 12th, 15:00

Nerga nghidlek li lili bqajt ma rrispondejtnix ghaldqstant jien ghandi nifhem li m'ghandekx risposta. U jekk joghgbok jekk tasal biex issib risposta rrispondini bil-Malti. Nahseb li ghandi dritt nistenna risposta b'ilsien pajjizi.

Francis Saliba M.D.

Jan 12th, 20:46

@ Francis Attard.

Ghadni nfittex dik id-domanda gharfa u misterjuza li inti suppost li ghamiltli u li jien li ma rrispondejtx ghaliha. Ghadni ma sibt lebda mistoqsija minnek li jisthoqqila twegiba. Inti zgur li mhemmx bzonn li titlob skuza ohra, din id-darba lili?

Mr M Spiteri

Jan 12th, 07:19

naqbel perfettament. meta tim imur hazin l-ewwel li jtir huwa l-coach.

R Axisa

Jan 11th, 19:29

Nixtieq infakrek li kien hemm ministru li waqt li kien qed jiehu l-gurament daqqlu l-mobile! Jekk niftakar sew kien Carm Mifsud Bonnici.

Francis Attard

Jan 11th, 11:00

Jimporta tirrispondini bil-Malti ghaliex jien mhux gharef bhalek, ghax jekk fhimt tajjeb minn naqra ingliz li naf, lili ma tghajtniex risposta.

W Cassar

Jan 11th, 11:11

Stop being condescending Francis you are not that clever.

George Azzopardi

Jan 11th, 11:14

Dr.Cikk it's time you shut up

Francis Attard

Jan 11th, 11:16

@W Cassar
L-ewwell net jien naf li m' hiniex "clever". It-tieni, mhux ahjar jirrispondini hu.

Francis Attard

Jan 11th, 11:27

@George Azzopardi
Igifieri int qieghed tghidli li m'ghandix dritt nuri l-opinjoni tieghi? U ghal informazzjoni tieghek jien m'ghandi l-ebda dottorat. Jien ex-haddiem tat-tarzna li, meta kont bahnan, kont naghmel kull ma kien jitlob minni Fenech Adami.

W Cassar

Jan 11th, 11:36

@ Francis Attard

For the record, the comment is not meant for you.

George Azzopardi

Jan 11th, 11:58

@@ Francis Attard

Also for the record, the comment was not meant for you. I thought it was obvious unless you are also a doctor Plus I hope one realizes when one is just pulling one's leg. Hehe good one ;)

Franco Abela

Jan 11th, 11:46

PERO JGHID LI JRID JGHID FIL-BERAH.... HAWN MIN QED JILGHABA TAL-QADDIS U TAS SALVATUR U JAGHMEL MINN WARA L-KWINTI!

ALBERT FENECH

Jan 11th, 09:55

Dr Debono does not have to make anything public - just follow the majority of postings found here and you will understand the level of support that Dr Debono has.

ALBERT FENECH

Jeffrey Borg

Jan 12th, 20:02

If you want to gauge the majority here , just go on the on line poll of the Times.
53% don’t want an election and 24% want a snap election.

Gordon Borg

Jan 11th, 11:22

whats your point?do you seriously want people like FD in your party(PL)?

Frank Borg

Jan 11th, 11:36

Yes, people like Franco ensures that the parties stick to their promises. We people out here have been treated like fools for a very long time now, being promised lots of things like for example tax cuts by a certain date, then being told that the economy wasn't good enough to introduce such tax reforms, but it was good enough for them to give themselves a wage rise of 500 euros a week! Isn't this daylight robbery? Do they seriously thing that the people will forgive them for this now that they decided to remove it?

marco caruana

Jan 11th, 11:20

dear Marc what Labour has to do with this ??
this is Franco vs PN !

Daphne Ellul

Jan 11th, 10:42

I couldn't believe my ears! No shame

Francis Attard

Jan 11th, 09:18

Hallina int, mela din kienet l-ewwel intervista illi qatt rajt f'hajtek. Kemm jigru dawk l-affarijiet mhux hawn Malta biss. Jekk wiehed jibda jsemmi ma jieqaf qatt. Anki cardinal darba rajt jaghmel dawk l-affarijiet li qed issemmi int.

W Cassar

Jan 11th, 09:24

As usual thats your personal opinion Francis.

All Dr Debono's points were valid there is no accountability in this government, can you prove otherwise? Its a given that Franco is arrogant but so is Austin Gatt but I have never seen you criticise him.

ALBERT FENECH

Jan 11th, 09:53

I observe you neglect to mention Bondi's attempt to misrepresent what Debono said in one instance and that would have passed had not Debono insisted again and again the particular clip be replayed and from which eventual and begrudging replay by Bondi, Dr. Debono was proved correct and it became obvious Bondi had tried to misquote him. However, I can understand your chagrin at Dr Debono's performance. You have become so inured to listening to plastic responses and pronouncements from brainwashed robots that the novelty of a politician speaking his own mind causes a mental disturbance and rest assured, Dr Debono disturbed many, many people mentally yesterday because he made them think for themselves for a change and realise the perspective of the truth by facing the truth.

ALBERT FENECH

George Azzopardi

Jan 11th, 10:13

Dr. Franco Debono showed guts in his replies and confronted L.Bondi with quick and defiant replies where L.Bondi stood speechless at times and quickly tried to change subjects.

Joseph Portelli

Jan 11th, 09:06

peter tista tkompli tivvota labour kif dejjem ghamilt!!! imma tinqediex bi franco biex timpresjona - il-bierah franco wera kemm hu irresponabli - iwaqqa gvern ghax ma sarx ministru!! hallina peter u hallina franco

Joseph Portelli

Jan 11th, 09:01

int veru ghami habib jew inkella ghadek zghir!! m'ghandekx idea kif ha l-pajjiz l-pn fl-1987!! zgur pero li taf x'gara fid-dinja f'dawn l-ahhar 3 snin u f'liema sitwazzjoni qeghdin hafna pajjizi. Ejja nirringrazzjaw 'l Alla li ahna fiex ahna ghax kieku kien al labour ta' joseph mucat la qeghdin fl-unjoni ewropea u anqas ghandna l-ewro. Joseph Muscat jipprogetta lilu nnifsu gdid u b'ideat moderni! Imdawwar b'nies li kienu jmexxu l-pl fi zmien mintoff u Kmb. Fis-sitwazzjoni prezenti m'hemmx ghazla ohra - veru li Lawrence Gonzi mhux perfett u ghamel zbalji - pero ma rridux niehdu riskju fis-sitwazzjoni prezenti

Antoine Psaila

Jan 11th, 09:32

@ Joseph Portelli

Il-PN fl-87 ha l pajjiz b'kaxxa mimlija flus.

Louis Galea

Jan 11th, 09:09

Amen ........ you could'nt have said it any better

Robert Camilleri

Jan 11th, 10:26

amen???
mela qeghdin il knisja jew??? franco wera li ghandu par idejn sodi u sa fejn naf jien kull min qieghed jghix f dinja jinduna li franco kull ma beda jghid jaghmel sens

AS Spiteri

Jan 11th, 08:46

nabel mieghek 100% imma nahseb meta Bondi tkellem ma J muscat ma rajtux habib ghax din it tieni darba li lou gabuh jitkellem wahdu u wiehed minnhom kien Muscat u dan mhux jien qed najdu imma kull min ra il programm dakinhar

Mr Joseph Galea

Jan 11th, 08:19

@Mark Cassar: ...and please do us a favour get a life and some brains with that too :)

You just have shown that you are a blinded PN die hard with no reason at all in your arguments other than insulting and parroting the PN track...which we are fed up of hearing.

"I would have laughed my heart out if the situation is not in such a serious state. what I saw is the little child evade the questions posed by Lou, out of context, arrogant or stupid answers...he just kept blaming everyone, except himself....".........exactly what was reported on Radio 101 this morning.

Hossam Helwani

Jan 11th, 08:37

@ joseph galea

Yes Mr Mark Cassar is very right , Franco Dis only praising his achievements without any idea that he should be working as a team. He is full of himself and I could not stand him more than 10 minutes. What was there to know?

He keeps showing his achievements and self praise to prove how PROUD he is of himself.

He knows his books by heart , but he fails miserably in PRUDENCE and COMPROMISE.

There is no place for people like him and I hope whoever pushed him for election is now feeling sorry.

He is just an upstart thinking only of himself and no one else is good except himself. He is blinded by himself and can never see reality. A complete total failure.

Alfred Tabone

Jan 11th, 09:15

@ Hossam Helwani

What team are you talking about. Can you really call the PN today as a team?
As for not standing Franco Debono for more than 10 minutes, technology brought us remote controls nowadays, only a click away. Franco Debono should be let speak his mind, too many things went wrong these last 4 years.

M camilleri

Jan 11th, 08:42

100% agree

Jonathan Sciberras

Jan 11th, 07:50

Dorianne just for your info.

We all prefer who follows his mob rather who doesn't attend at all the meetings.

Now find out what I meant!!!! Thanks

Paul Giordimaina

Jan 11th, 08:10

M Vella you must be nuts to think he sacrified his political career for malta he done it because he is stupid.

Mr Joseph Galea

Jan 11th, 08:21

Amen!

Alfred Falzon

Jan 12th, 09:46

@ Charles C Brown

Dr Franco Debono has already taken his decision and knows perfectly well what he is doing: defending democracy which you scoffed at when Khadafi was still in power in Libya murdering his people!!

Now you want to turn your guns on Malta's genuine MP who has the backing of the great majority of the Maltese not of a few yes-men still clinging to power!

R Bartolo

Jan 11th, 00:17

Poor judge of character = Voting Labour.

The sums all add up.

joseph briffa

Jan 11th, 07:45

Tafx ma ghandux Franco umilta .

Joe Grech

Jan 10th, 23:26

Mr. F. Pisani, exactly what is the point you're trying to make? Certainly you do not seem happy at the outcome of this Bondi+ episode. For once Lou found his match - a brainy and capable speaker who is not afraid to voice his bosom beliefs. Such a shame that the P.N. lost this guy!

Noel Abela

Jan 10th, 23:48

Pisani are you for real?. Did we see the same programme?. One declaration was wortrh listening to and that was when Bondi said that the ARRIVA affair was a sucess. I bet he still thinks that he is still living in Canada. For God's sake get a life.

Seamus Riolo

Jan 10th, 23:59

I think you are the one not understansinf something so clear and explained which i personally and many others don't find any problems understanding..

Your point would be valid if Franco Debono would have 'abstained,agreed,abstained,agreed'
But he did exacly as any normal human should have done and this is how common sense goes, you give out a warning, a bigger warning, a bigger warning, and if the person in question still doesn't listen you go against.

That is exacly what Franco did... first he gave warnings but still voted with goverment, more warnings and the goverment didn't listen so he abstained, after abstaining and another more warnings he decided to go against! I think he was patient enough!!! :)

M Galea

Jan 11th, 00:43

are you serious? Dr. Franco did not reply to a single question bondi asked? .. ok im sorry but I think we weren' t watching the same program this evening :S

Noel Cuschieri

Jan 11th, 05:16

Are you sure you are talking about Bondi+ of the 10/01/2012???!!!!!

K Gauci

Jan 11th, 06:47

Than you should check your sound of your tv because every one did hear Dr Franco Debono with his answers,or you are another type of person that you only hear whats good for you!!!!!

Aaron Cremona

Jan 11th, 00:39

What so now MLP are doing their own version of Bondi Plus ?
I'd like to see were he had the courage to answer every question Lou asked, cause I only saw an attention seeker playing with his mob.
Debono, please leave us alone and just go to your damn beloved Italy asap.

Mr M Spiteri

Jan 10th, 23:33

Of course you you switched the TV off. You can't bear to hear the truth.

Charles W. Sammut

Jan 10th, 23:51

What made me cringe was Dr Gonzi saying that he has more important things to do like attending some EU conference where undoubtedly his presence is absolutely essential and vital because nobody in the Eu gives a hoot about him. He is simply ignored. Dr Gonzi should know that his first obligation is towards Malta and the Maltese.

Your line about the sword metaphor can be extended because Dr Debono has now passed it on to the prime minister to disembowel himself and the party.

P Bonnici

Jan 11th, 00:26

Dr Debono has already committed a political suicide. Labour wont touch him with a barge pole, they wont let him rock their boat, or if they do, they will do it with utmost caution.

He is like a cornered rat now.

J. Mifsud

Jan 11th, 00:27

Are you so fond of Mr Lou Bondi that you couldn't bear to see Dr Frendo cut him down to size? Was this the real reason you found it so painful to watch? Had you watch further you would have understood that Dr Frendo only wants to publicize that his client was found not guilty, and rightly so, since when this person is accused in court his name is splashed on all newspapers, and then no one bothers to say that he was found not guilty.
It was silly of him to show off his form 11 midyearly exam report, but as he said, Boni and PBS did not make such a fuss when another MP was caught cheating during an exam.
Yes Dr Joseph Muscat must have had a ball today, since Dr Gonzi has lost a person who would have been an asset to the party, and instead got Mr Herman Schiavone and Mr Delia, which both together and not worth half a Dr.Frendo.

Joe Degiorgio

Jan 11th, 00:40

Could not have said it better. Precisely my thoughts on this whole matter.

Charles J. Buttigieg

Jan 11th, 06:22

Exit Franco enter Dom, would you have seen the show till the end?

N. Agius

Jan 11th, 07:19

Seems you like compromise, prudence and lack of arrogance. Just a question.... Do you like Austin Gatt's personality? Loyalty to the party is more important than everthing else ..... isn't it!!!! Hallina siehbi..

J. Mifsud

Jan 11th, 00:34

Had you listened to what he was saying, you would have realized he made sense. Had Dr Gonzi listened to what he had to say, and allowed him to work for the good of the nation - PN would have been looking at another 5 years in Government. As things stand, they have to work much harder, I cannot see Mr Delia or Mr Schiavone taking his place, I surely hope some other valid person will contest on the 5th District.

A Trapani

Jan 10th, 23:29

If you're really a Nationailist... which i do not believe so since you speak like a Labourite and if you were, you would not be supporting a rebel within the party like Dr Debono where all he cares about is popularity, grades ,success and a ministry (even though he goes around it but does not admit it). He does have a few good points which i'm sure the PN took note of, however, he fails to understand that if he makes part of a party, he has to be loyal to the leader or walk away. At one point he claimed that our PM believes he's a god... and what does he believe he is? greater than god since he wants him to stand down ?

M Galea

Jan 11th, 00:47

I think from all of the comments left on this news article, your Mrs.Portelli was the best one I've seen so far.

Matthew Grima

Jan 11th, 09:36

A Trapani, supporting a party blindly only makes you a blind fool. Well done Sir/Miss.

Mark Brincat

Jan 10th, 22:51

And do you have a valid reason for using capslock?

Matthew P. Zammit

Jan 10th, 22:52

Pretty well said!

j brincat

Jan 10th, 22:55

Realy????







(jb)

J. Borg

Jan 10th, 22:55

I agree 100% too !

Christopher Demicoli

Jan 10th, 23:06

@Mark Brincat

Haven't you heard? Caps Lock is like cruise control for the cool; life's too short to turn off Caps Lock. Also, it makes your point 10 times more valid.

Trololol

Hossam Helwani

Jan 10th, 23:13

yes you are right

DR Gonzi was right all the way

franco debono is just a young school boy telling his teacher I was good so I deserve to do what I like!

A Tonna

Jan 10th, 23:19

SOME PEOPLE NEED TO OPEN THEIR EYES AND THEIR MINDS

Frans Aguis

Jan 10th, 23:49

So all the suggestions and concerns he has about our justice system just flew above your head didn't they?

Noel Cuschieri

Jan 11th, 04:53

Mr H.F.A.,
Can you please tell us which BLA AGENDA, which INKONTRI and which BONDI+ did you watch to arrive to your conclusions?!!!!

Noel Cuschieri

Jan 11th, 04:56

@ Christopher Demicoli

Caps Lock in written text means ARROGANCE!!

Vince Piscopo

Jan 11th, 06:17

Ghalli jista jkun jkun ta....was he 100% correct on :
splitting ministries,
riscinding honoraria,
arriva,
bwsc,
divorce referendum,
broadcasting law
maternity leave
revisiting budget measures barely 3 months after....need i go on!!!

Mark Brincat

Jan 10th, 22:43

Someone needed the declaration for a sound clip!

Guido Farrugia

Jan 10th, 22:50

Mela jien pappagal tieghek. Than Lou lost it all the way. Ha mmoru ghar-reklami eeerrmmm Le spicca l-programm. Dr. Debono services will be missed by all. He is truly a politician Well done Dott

Advert

Similar Stories

Popular Stories

  1. Update 3: Woman found dead in car,...

  2. Updated: Woman dies in car crash

  3. Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigns after...

  4. Part of Dwejra 'Azure window' collapses

  5. The end of the bar that ‘never closed’

  6. Bundy does not know whether to...

  7. Updated - Jason Micallef demands...

  8. This WAS the night - Kurt makes it...

  9. 'No need for early election if PM's...

In Discussion

  1. Updated - Jason Micallef demands...

  2. Gozo tunnel could take 5-7 years to...

  3. CABS remote controlled aircraft shot...

  4. Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigns after...

  5. Joseph Calleja condemns portrayal of...

  6. Second group of migrants arrives

  7. Updated: Labour would give...

  8. CABS drone shot down

  9. Adrian Vassallo in scathing...

Advert

Copyright © Allied Newspapers Ltd., printed on - 02-06-2012 - This article is for personal use only, and should not be distributed