Updated: Judge Ray Pace arraigned, accused of bribery and remanded in custody
Indications case hinges on video footage, phone intercepts
Video: Paul Spiteri Lucas, Mark Zammit Cordina
Mr Justice Ray Pace was arraigned in court today and accused of bribery, conspiring to commit a crime and trading in influence.
He appeared before Magistrate Audrey Demicoli, a day after he was arrested and questioned at police headquarters.
He pleaded not guilty and requested bail. The police objected.
Sources said the case centres on attempts to bribe the judge to use his influence to increase the prison term of a man convicted in a drugs case. The issue is said to involve rival gangs.
During the arguments on bail, defence counsel Stefano Filletti said bail was the rule, not the exception. The principle was that bail was coupled with the presumption of innocence. His client had no criminal record and up to yesterday he was respected as a man who meted out justice, so what had made him lose his credibility, the counsel argued.
A video recording of the case could have been taken completely out of context, the defence said.
Dr Pace should be granted bail because he would not prejudice his own case by speaking to witnesses. Even the other judges, Noel Arrigo and Patrick Vella were granted bail during their court proceedings.
Superintendent Norbert Ciappara said the prosecution based its arguments on the law, since these were serious charges.
As he was taken out of the court under police escort, Justice Pace was seen in tears as he was hugged by his wife and children.
He is expected to be held in the Forensics Section of Mt Carmel Hospital.
TWO ACCUSED OF ATTEMPTING TO BRIBE JUDGE
An hour before his arraignment, two men were accused of complicity to bribe the judge.
They are Raymond Caruana, a 51-year-old truck driver from Zebbug, and Sandro Psaila, a 40-year-old restaurateur of Valletta.
Both pleaded not guilty and were remanded in custody.
During their arraignment, Police Superintendent Norbert Ciappara revealed that most of the prosecution evidence was based on phone intercepts.
The case is alleged to have happened last month and this month.
In refusing bail, the court recommended that the prison authorities keep the two co-accused away from Darren Desira.
Mr Desira was recently jailed for 18 years after admitting to conspiracy to traffic drugs.
The judge in that case had not been Mr Justice Pace but Lawrence Quintano, who, it is understood, is not under investigation.
PRIME MINISTER'S STATEMENT
In a statement, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said the news that a judge had been arrested and was being investigated had shocked him in the same way as it had shocked the nation.
This was a worrying development because it meant that the institutions of the country were going through a difficult and testing time.
He said he wanted to assure everyone that the institutions would do their duty, and no one would be held above the law.
He said the proceedings should be allowed to follow their course unhindered.
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K Debono
Dec 14th 2012, 15:39
..mela l-ohrajn kollha hekk. Ghalhekk qatt ma nimxu mkien f'dan il-pajjiz. People who state these comments should be ashamed of themselves. We are too quick to judge other people, but whoever points his finger has three pointed back..
K Debono
Dec 14th 2012, 15:36
Jiena jghaggbuni l-Maltin x'injoranza ghad hawn f'dan il-pajjiz. L-ewwel nett ghal min jifhem il-politikanti m'ghandhom x'jaqsmu xejn mal-gudikatura. Kull ma jigri Malta hu tort tal-Gvern hija ezempju car tal-injoranza Maltija. Il-maggoranza tal-gudikatura huma nies ta' ntegrita' kbira u nies ta' ezempju, u mhux ghax inzerta hemm wiehed li forsi ghamel zball, (ghax alajbirek ga gie kkundanat).
I Bugeja
Dec 14th 2012, 10:23
Let's not judge the man in the city square!
Everyone deserves the right for a fair trial and the Times online is not that place.
j brincat
Dec 14th 2012, 09:49
@J. Debono
"Quote "Everything is for sale, at the right price"
SIMPLY not true - not if you're a man/woman of principles!
Tempting I would say yes but NEVER yielding!
(jb)
Anthony Paul Naudi
Dec 14th 2012, 09:16
Qabel il-gustizzja ma tiehu il-kors taghha biex wiehed jinstab hati jew le, hadd ma ghandu jikkalunja lil hadd.
Imma jekk l-imhallef jinstab hati tal-offizi migjuba kontra tieghu allura dan ghandu jilbes balaklava biex wiccu ma jesponiehx fil-pubbliku qatt f'hajtu. Jekk ma jinstabx hati allura sta ghalih li jiehu il-passi kollha li jkun hemm bzonn biex jikkilja ismu u l-pudur tieghu.
A.P.Naudi
R ferriggi
Dec 14th 2012, 09:06
i am not in any way implicating LG or the government in any misdeeds.
but the good example and good standards need to be shown FROM the top of the hierarchy.
we have seen cases this legislature which merited police intervention,,, if not resignations.
G Buhagiar
Dec 14th 2012, 07:09
Dan il-kaz jitfa' dubji serji fuq il-Qrati tal-Gustizzja Maltin. Il-Qrati Maltin qeghdin jitilfu l-kredibbilta` taghhom, ma nafx fejn tista' tasal aghar minn hekk!!! Sirna pajjiz tal-misthija, fejn il-Korruzzjoni u l-Qerq qeghdin JIRRENJAW! Din mhix kwistjoni ta' politika, imma hi kwistjoni ta' kemm il-persuna hija denja u onesta fix-xoghol li twettaq!
Victor Vella
Dec 14th 2012, 07:07
It is high time that high top official government and MEPs employees including the judicature to have their financial incomes be scrutinized by foreign financial services companies to monitor their financial movements. One has also to thank the police for their intelligent and professional work.The corruption of the judicature has destroyed the foundations of this nation state.
Alfred Falzon
Dec 14th 2012, 00:30
Can anyone ignore the fact that it was Dr Franco Debono who has been long clamouring for a radical
reform in our judicial system?
And some call him "irrelevant"!
And they expect the Maltese electorate to put their trust in them come next Election Day!
Alfred A Falzon
James Camilleri
Dec 13th 2012, 22:45
What I once again find as grossly disturbing in this case is the treatment of the accused. Once again a judge is undergoing criminal proceedings and once again the court deems it fit to send the accused to the forensic unit instead of to the correctional facility at Corradino. In the eyes of the law everyone is equal. But it seems this is not so in the eyes of the dispensers of the law.
J. Debono
Dec 13th 2012, 20:08
Quote "Everything is for sale, at the right price"
Mr Alexander Azzopardi
Dec 13th 2012, 19:37
Debono was right about a huge reform in the justice system. Punto e basta!!
Joseph Aquilina
Dec 13th 2012, 22:27
Do not try to give Franco more merit then he deserves, i.e. - none at all. Franco never mentioned any corrupt judges; although I am sure he would have mentioned such thing should he have done his speech after this item made it to the news; I say this because if you heard Franco speech you would have realized that he never said anything more then the public already knew!!
anthony sultana
Dec 13th 2012, 18:17
They keep mentioning the Mintoff era .Mintoff era was very bad, God forbid ,if we have something similar, o my goodness, we better of with the current government then go back to those hell time,violence was the order of the day,freedom didn't exist.Communists like North Korea,Romania, China were our best friends.Lots of people had to leave Malta out of fear, jobs only for red eyes people.
D Borg
Dec 13th 2012, 19:04
and the Berlin Wall, Iron Curtain, Thatcher, Apartheid, Cold War.....
it's been over a quarter of a century....let's move on mentally as well please!
Byron Abela
Dec 13th 2012, 19:18
He is our hero. Malta's only real leader. Without him, bad things are hapenning in this country.
joseph demicoli
Dec 14th 2012, 02:39
are you try to pull the maltese legs During Mintoff era no judge had resigned or being accused of bribery and when Pn was in power in 87 all went to the places you mentioned to sign agreements with them There is no comparison between Mintoff's intelligence and Gonzi One had a good foresight and predict the future and the other he don't know if he is living in malta or in brussels
Anthony Pace Gouder
Dec 14th 2012, 03:48
How can we ever have something similar ! WE'RE IN THE UNION NOW, with a 'watchdog' SO you don't have to worry about the running of the country . Brussels would step in.!...and please STOP exaggerating !
I myself endured the 'psycho' oppression and violance, which was 'not' the order of the day. Seems someone related to you this 'history', stopping short of mentioning the consentration camps!
Adrian Mifsud
Dec 15th 2012, 10:00
Since you have gone back to Mintoff's era, I would gladly take you back a little bit further. You may be too young to rember the then Nationalist ministers boarding the plane loads of Maltese/Gozitanand warning them that if they were to return to Malta they would make sure that: THEY AND THEIR FAMILIES WOULD SUFFER EXTREME CONSEQUENCIES. Please remember those times before your remember all else.
Mario Mamo
Dec 13th 2012, 18:09
Ladies and gentlemen. Please allow me to offer my humble opinion on the law courts. NO Government will EVER find a solution to the problem. There have been many half hearted attempts to find one but they failed and they will continue to fail. We still have cases pending from 15 to 20 years ago. Why? I will not venture a reply lest I offend our dear lawmakers.
George Cassar
Dec 13th 2012, 17:58
We urgently need a good whistle Blower act covering also retrospective time frames. Why has this government always found an excuse not to implement such legislation ??
john muscat
Dec 13th 2012, 17:56
This has nothing to do with politics. Nether the PN nor the Labour Party is to be blamed irrespective of whoever appointed this judge.
jason cassar
Dec 13th 2012, 17:54
xandu x jaqsam il PN u l MLP !!
Louis Borg
Dec 13th 2012, 17:48
Everyone in this world has a price.
anthony sultana
Dec 13th 2012, 17:45
Bring on the whistle blower act, we will see who is bad and who is good.Whistle blowers should be rewarded.
Joseph Bajada
Dec 14th 2012, 05:09
One problem with whistleblower acts - unless they guarantee that the person blowing the whistle is protected and does not lose their job or be victimized by their work mates it will prevent anyone from coming forward..blow the whistle...loose the job...get abused by your work mates...why would you bother.
R. Saliba
Dec 13th 2012, 17:39
What does Politics have got to do with this?
P Borg
Dec 13th 2012, 17:37
We are lucky that the system we have today is such that these things come to the surface and that we have a police force that enjoys the respect of the nation ... it was not always like this.
Paul Sammut
Dec 13th 2012, 17:28
No Mr Prime Min we cannot put our minds at rest ! We have seen corruption of the Chief Justice & another Judge whilst now we have the third one ! We have seen corruption at the VAT Dept on a very large scale ! We have seen heavy corruption at Trans Malta ! The Silvio Zammit case of attempted bribery, at least so far ! BWSC alla galore ! Fiarmont ! etc etc. Tio of the iceberg ?
Michael Seychell
Dec 13th 2012, 19:35
Mr Paul Sammut - Yes Mr Prime Minister under your Leadership the Police take action on whoever breaks the law - whether he is a commoner, a priest, a politician,or judge.
No Mr Leader of the opposition, you are not correct when you support persons accused of criminal action because these happened to be P>N officials or supporters!
Michael Seychell Tal-Pieta
C. Dickens
Dec 13th 2012, 17:26
What a sorry state of affairs. All three organs of State are somehow out of action;
The legislative organ - de facto dissolved.
The executive organ - de facto care-taker.
The judicial organ - de facto bereft of even the appearance of justice.
I am utterly lost for words...
Richard Ellul
Dec 13th 2012, 17:24
I remember the times when these things did not happen however these things may have been in existence and never surfaced, who knows.
A Cachia
Dec 13th 2012, 17:17
I cannot understand why the issue herr is being politicised it's a judge we are talking about!! If he was not in good faith he shouldnt have been around at the time of appointing. This also applies to the other judges that were appointed other a PN administration. No PM can be held to blame.
Joseph Micallef
Dec 13th 2012, 17:13
Gvern tal-mistħija. Dan il-gvern irnexxilu jnawwar u joħloq klima ta' korruzzjoni istituzzjonalizzata. Xejn ma jsir b'kumbinazzjoni. Meta jkollok gvern korrott, joħloq klima komda ta' korruzzjoni. Il-ħtieġa li GonziPN jitneħħa mill-aktar fis, qegħdha dejjem tinħass aktar minn qatt qabel.
George Cassar
Dec 13th 2012, 17:42
Bulls eye, right on the mark. Well said
Alfred Attard
Dec 13th 2012, 17:43
Sur Micallef, jien ma nafx kemm ghandek zmien. Rigward il kummenti tieghek, jien nghidlek li ghall inqas illum dawn l-affarajiet jinkixfu ghaliex il-pulizija tithalla tahdem minghajr indhil mill gvern, mhux bhas-snin sebghin u tmenijn meta kelna hafna hnizrijiet. Sfortunatament il mafja tad-droga jidher illi rabbiet l-gheruq sew u naghmlu zball kbir jekk noqghodu nippoliticizzaw il-gustizzja.
Ms Maria Vella
Dec 13th 2012, 17:44
And you are convinced there was no corruption in previous legislatures. Just because they weren't caught doesn't mean it didn't happen so remove your blindfolds and try to speak or write some sense
Michael Seychell
Dec 13th 2012, 17:45
Mr. Micallef kien Gvern Laburista li ghazel lill Dr. Pace bhala Mhallef, izda wara kollox seta kien appuntat mill Gvern Nazzjonalist, ghax jekk dak li gie akkuzat bih huwa minnu, la hajjru l-Gvern Laburista u l-anqas hajjru l-Gvern Nazzjonalista biex jaghmlu.Dak li ghamel jew ma ghamilx hija biss responsabilta personali tieghu, u ma ghanda x'taqsam xejn il-pulitka..
M.Seychell Tal-Pieta
Joseph Micallef
Dec 13th 2012, 18:52
@ Alfred Attard,
Kemm niehu gost nitkellem ma' nies bhalek ghaliex jista jkun li ma naqblux politikament izda kapaci nitkelmu b'oggettivitá. Naqbel ma' dak li ghidt inti. Peró politika apparti, jiena nhoss li matul dawn l-ahhar snin, qisu l-hazin sar normali.
@ Ms Maria Vella,
It would be better if you remove your blue glasses and start admitting that GonziPN failed.
Joseph Micallef
Dec 13th 2012, 18:53
Mr Michael Seychell,
Ghandek punt validu, pero jien nemmen fil-qawl malti: "il-huta minn rasha tinten".
C Sant
Dec 13th 2012, 19:00
What have your ramblings got to do with the case! Judges are above parliament and government. one needs a two thirds majority to remove them. Once appointed, there is very little anyone can do, and this there to presumably defend their autonomy.
TONY FORMOSA
Dec 14th 2012, 07:38
Micallef you dished out very serious accusations without giving an iota of fact, Your hatred
against GonziPN couldn't be clearer.
TONY FOR|MOSA
TONY FORMOSA
.
George Cassar
Dec 13th 2012, 17:12
How right Dr Franco Debono is on the urgent need to reform our justice sysytem. This goverment simply failed to act when the writing has always been on the wall. We need a new way of how judges are nominated. If you are part of the problem you can not be part of the solution.
E. Vassallo
Dec 13th 2012, 18:15
Tghidx cucati. Franco qatt ma tkellem fuq id-drittijet tal-VITTMI
Alfred Attard
Dec 13th 2012, 18:49
Remember that Franco is a lawer. He insisted that during interrogation, suspects should have a lawer. Remember also that suspects who were already arrained in court managed to go out free simply because they had no lawer during interrogation!!!!
Joseph Fenech
Dec 13th 2012, 17:09
The Socialist Gloom & Doom Brigade do not miss an opportunity to hit at Dr. Gonzi -- he really must be a thorn in their side . And no wonder because they know pretty well that under his administration, the Police Force became unshackled from political patronage and proceeded against whoever fell foul of the law. Unlike the dark times of the Socialist Regime - This Malta in the EU
Charles Cremona
Dec 13th 2012, 17:02
No wonder malta keeps going down and down in the world corruption index, if you can't trust judges who can you trust.
ANTHONY PAVIA
Dec 13th 2012, 17:22
Judges are human, and follow the trend defined by the political environment, which in turn impinges on the social environment, as much as other humans. The party financing and whistleblowers laws would commence the long road to normality.
Joseph Fenech
Dec 13th 2012, 17:00
Do you know who appointed this Judge to the bench ??? The Ex - Labour Minister who is still around Joseph muscat's neck !!!!!!
Wally Vella-Zarb
Dec 13th 2012, 17:28
Oh how interesting and informative and (ir)relevant! Would you now be so kind as to tell us who had appointed the other judge and the chief justice who were convicted of accepting bribes not so long ago?
Hossam Helwani
Dec 13th 2012, 16:59
@ eddy privitera
For you a government is good when they give you a job on the eve of 1987 election with Air Malta which was another dockyard, then give you a hefty pay off sum and a pension by this government to shut moaners and groaners and extreme greed lejber like you ! thost for your information are atrocities as well.
S Chetcuti
Dec 13th 2012, 17:26
It is also good when you are given jobs in the eve of 1992, and 1998, and 2003, and 2008! Well it is also good if during the last few elections you are given a fridge, or a cooker, or a washing machine!!
Ronnie Callus
Dec 14th 2012, 09:23
@ joseph borg st.john:
U hallina joseph ghax kieku ma' kienx Gvern tal-Labour kieku lanqas pensjoni u mitt haga ohra ma'kien ikollok.Tant ahna tajbin li dejjem b'xi news gdida tal-wahx qed ikollna.Nahseb rigali tal-Milied.
Mr Anthony Zarb
Dec 13th 2012, 16:58
Mulej kollok hniena minn dan il pajjiz. Jekk il-gudikatura tkun marida u fjakka mhux ta' b'xejn hafna qed jiehdu l-gustizzja f'idejhom u joqtlu bhallikieku xejn mhu xejn!
Joseph Agius
Dec 13th 2012, 16:57
Well done to an amazing Police Force.
James Dewar
Dec 13th 2012, 18:25
"Amazing? Why? Surely they are only doing what is rightly expected of them based on available evidence?
Stephen Spiteri
Dec 13th 2012, 16:42
And had it not been a judge our boys in blue would have marched the suspect up the front door, then forget to open the door and organize a circus in Great Siege square like this Summer. Ara ghax imhallef, we drive gas down up Strait Street with the door already wide open. Not like Silvio Zammit yesterday.....
Malcolm Seychell
Dec 13th 2012, 16:41
why are you shocked Dr Gonzi? you are the only one who believe that justice in Malta is working
Joseph Fenech
Dec 13th 2012, 17:02
@ Malcolm Seychell == Prime Minister Gonzi maybe was shocked because he inherited this Judge from the last Socialist Government !!!!!!!
Antoine Vella
Dec 13th 2012, 17:10
Malcolm, what has happened is ample proof that "The System" is working.
No system can guarantee that everybody will be honest and incorruptible - what is important is that enough safeguards exist to monitor, investigate and punish those who break the rules. This seems to have been the case here.
Joseph Micallef
Dec 13th 2012, 17:15
@ Joseph Fenech,
And what about the last two judges who were accused with bribery? Who had appointed them? Tgħidx ħmerjiet u ċuċati ħabib. Nifmek li GonziPN indukrak, imma ma nifimx kif titkellem il-propaganda irħisa ta' ħaddieħor.
Maria Vassallo
Dec 13th 2012, 16:37
U hallina Massa!
Min jaf kieku inti kont Prim Ministru - allahares - x'kont tghid?
victor caruana
Dec 13th 2012, 16:27
The moral decay the country has experienced during the last ten years is beyond believe....
More than one step should be taken to rectify the matter....
One solution is for a new government to appoint Franco Debono as Chairman of the Commission combatting corruption.....
I am sure a good number of people will start shaking following such an appointment.........
Richard Caruana
Dec 13th 2012, 16:59
You must be joking, right?
Ms L Dimech
Dec 13th 2012, 17:12
You'd better believe some people will start shaking at such an appointment - first I suggest you read his blogs and then tell me if his place is the chairmanship of any commission. Someone who calls other people names and cannot take any criticism without becoming ballistic, but is so ready to use it himself ... tells you a lot of things about him.
Mr J Grech
Dec 13th 2012, 16:27
Sorry to ask, but what have the PN or PL or FD anything to do with this case???
Bad apples are present in every organisation, unfortunately, its a reality everywhere in the world. This judge is being investigated by our Police and
we should all be mature and let the system draw its conclusions before we start judging everyone.
Let's show some maturity, please.
Kenneth Williams
Dec 13th 2012, 16:27
Franco was right all the way
rita Farrugia
Dec 13th 2012, 16:47
Franco was never right as he deceived the people who voted and trusted him to represent them on the nationalist party ticket.
Alfred Falzon
Dec 14th 2012, 10:01
@ Rita Farrugia
Dr Franco Debono has been loyal to his constituents not to a Party that betrayed its mandate.
The Party is not supreme, but...
The NATION is!!
Alfred A Falzon
M Calleja
Dec 13th 2012, 16:24
Thanks to the Nationalist Government, no one is above the law. This case, as well as others, confirms that our watchdogs (police, etc) are effective and efficient. Let’s hope the situation will not change for the worse after the next election under a Labour Government. I have vivid memories of what took place under the Socialist regime and am very sceptical to trust them.
Victor Laiviera
Dec 13th 2012, 16:20
"He said the proceedings should be allowed to follow their course unhindered."
Erm - of course. Did he need to say that?
Hossam Helwani
Dec 13th 2012, 16:48
yes it was needed because way back in 1976 judges were removed once mintoff wanted them offf to save his face.
rita Farrugia
Dec 13th 2012, 16:49
Any statement from Joseph Muscat, Mr Laiviera?
Neil Dent
Dec 13th 2012, 17:19
What's it to you Laiviera? There's nothing wrong with the Prime Minister's comment, yet still you find fault. Either come back with something intelligent or just keep quiet and do everyone a favour.
Alfred Falzon
Dec 14th 2012, 00:16
@ Rita Farrugia
Yes, there has been one made today by Dr Joseph Muscat, Leader of the Opposition, but you seem unaware, blinded by partisan politics!
Alfred A Falzon
Charles Massa
Dec 13th 2012, 16:20
U kemm kellhu ragun Dr Debono. Mhux ta b xejn li Malta dejjem sejra lura fil klassifika tak korruzzjoni. Inutli Dr Gonzi jghid li huwa ixxukjat, ir responsabbilita dejjem taqa fuqu
Joe M Borg
Dec 13th 2012, 17:04
Yes, Mr Massa, all responsibility should be shouldered by Gonzi, since HE is the PM. I think you are going to blame HIM for the cold and freezing spell we are going through. And should we blame him as well for the mosquitoes we had this summer? Grow up, Charles. Probably Gonzi advised the men to bribe the judge, according to you! Don't make us laugh.
Raymond Sacco
Dec 13th 2012, 16:15
Some comments here really explain how some people behold a sorry state of mind. How do partisan politics feature in all this is way out of my imagination! People at large, red and blue, should focus on making pressure on our politicians to clean up our justice system. It's the first thing the next administration, being red or blue, should do.
S Chetcuti
Dec 13th 2012, 17:11
Your comment is spot on; the only issue is that politicians in the last 50 years have hardly smelled clean, and given that they are trusted to run our country, their example carries a lot of weight.
Eddy Privitera
Dec 13th 2012, 16:14
George Calleja: Ghalhekk il-ligi tal-Whistleblower kellha tkun wahda mil-ewwel ligijiet li missu ghadda lawrence Gonzi ! Ghax kieku kienet tkun deterrent kbir. Minflok, baqa m'ghaddiex dik il-ligi. ghlhekk tqum il-mistoqsija ghaliex GonziPN ma ressaqx il-ligi ? Beza li tant hemm HMIEG x'jinkixef ? Din se tkun wahda mill-ewwel ligijiet ta' gvern laburista jekk jinghata l-fiducja.FATTI MHUX PAROLI !
Joe M Borg
Dec 13th 2012, 17:06
'Facts, not talk'. Eddy, like the fact that MLP removed VAT as promised, BUT introduced CET, NOT as promised? I suggest hibernation.
carmelo pace
Dec 13th 2012, 17:19
taf tahdem kontrik wkoll ta,eddy,minn jaf xi HMIEG hemm taht it tapit,it's never to late ta,nispera li l whistle blower act tghaddi malajr ,aqta kemm indahqu nies biha
Saviour Fenech
Dec 13th 2012, 17:22
Il-ligi tal-whistleblower messa ilha hemm minn qabel l-1987. ara kemm kienu isaffru
joseph borg st john
Dec 13th 2012, 17:32
Eddy Privitera hasra ma kienx hemm whistleblower f zmienkom ghax kieku ara kemm kien jienqala hmieg eh iftakar kellkom nies li ivintaw il korruzjon u int tiftakarom sew.i
Raymond Sacco
Dec 13th 2012, 15:54
This is the third judge arraigned over involvment with drug lords! The next justice minister should scrape every inch of our justice courts. The people's trust in our so called justice system has long gone down the drain. Weird sentences and criminals marching free out of our court rooms with suspended sentences are too much to go unnoticed. It's time for our politicians to act.
George Calleja
Dec 13th 2012, 15:50
F'dan il-qorti tal-poplu bil-kummenti t'hawn taht tinduna kemm id-dinja hi maghmula minn idejat differenti. Kulhadd iwahhal f'Gonzi jew Alfred Sant. hafna jfahhru lil Franco Debono. Imma dawn it-tlieta x'ghandhom x'jaqsmu? Din hi kwistjoni ta ntegrita u onesta ta nies partikulari, specjalment kbarat fil-hajja pubblika. Il-flus u l-poter jghamlu lil hafna w uhud finalment jaqghu ghat-tentazzjoni.
Mr Ernest Vella
Dec 13th 2012, 15:45
Jiddispjacini imma min qed iparla fil-vojt missu nduna, li l-investigazzjonijiet il-hin kollu ghaddejjin u dan juri bic-car li kull korruzzjoni titressaq il-qorti, anke ta Magistrati korrotti!!! Issa fuq dan il-kaz ma nafx imma li l-pulizija qeghda taghmel xoghla sinjal tajjeb. Zmien ilu, il-pulizija mal-kriminali kienet tkun u kien fl-ahhar 25 sena li dan ma baqax ikun.
Joe M Borg
Dec 13th 2012, 17:08
Yes Mark, we NEVER forget: the tal-Barrani street party; the SMU fireworks display at Rabat; the surprise 'visits' to the law Courts, Curia, Eddie;s home, and the Times. No we NEVER forget.
Joe M Borg
Dec 13th 2012, 17:19
Mark, this judge was appointed in January 1998, and YOU know who appointed him!
carmelo pace
Dec 13th 2012, 17:21
prosit mr.vella ilqadt il; musmar fuq rasu
Saviour Fenech
Dec 13th 2012, 17:24
Mark Borg tidher li ma tafx x'inhu gass tad-dmugh
Charles Vella
Dec 13th 2012, 15:42
An other reason NOT TO trust Labour in government... and an other thing... the atrocities done between 1978 and 1987 still need to come out!! Especially the National Bank case, and stolen properties by the Government of Mintoff! How can we believe Joseph Muscat when the people of the Mintoff era are still in parliament!?
ray vassallo
Dec 13th 2012, 16:01
Excuse me Mr. Vella, but I think you're commenting on the wrong article. What on earth has Mintoff, National Bank, Joseph Muscat and stolen properties got to do with a judge being arraigned for bribery? Please do try to think with some black and white logic.
Mario Camilleri
Dec 13th 2012, 16:11
@Charles Vella,
Can you name them one by one and accuse them of ATROCITIES and of STEALING PROPERTIES? If not do yourself a favor and shut up otherwise name them while you still have time. 25 years have passed and none of the PN brought to justice any MLP MP. Same as the 25years that have passed under the PN over Raymond Caruana's murder without one single person brought to justice. Facts!!
Eddy Privitera
Dec 13th 2012, 16:18
Charles VElla. Staqsi lil Gonzi ghaliex m'ghaddiex il-ligi tal-Whistleblower, li kienet tkun ARMA QAWWIJA KONTRA L-kORRUZZJONI ! tghis Jibza li hemm nies importanti involuti - BWSC etc..etc.. ??
Lawrence Fenech
Dec 13th 2012, 16:28
@Vella.
Tiskanta kif ghad min jirraguna bhalek.
Byron Abela
Dec 13th 2012, 16:44
Mintoff was our true and only leader. Malta lost its soul this yr, that's why many bad things are happening.
Hossam Helwani
Dec 13th 2012, 16:57
@ Mario camilleri
you seem to be living in another planet, you need Mr Charles vella to name them? let me name the atrocities committed when your dear thank God dead mintoff, took at gun point all the bank shares, if it was your money you would all be screaming. When long gone dead lorry sant took land from private owners and give it to lejber supporters is not atrocities.
Hossam Helwani
Dec 13th 2012, 17:03
@ eddy privitera
saqsi lill alfred sant ghaliex ma halliex in net tv ixandar 1998? dik saqsih , saqsih ghalix il ligi ta l ombudsman dahhalha il PN u mhux il lejber? Ghandek il wicc tost u arroganti tiddikjara il ligi tal whistle blower meta anqas idea m ghandek x inhi. Ghalik gvern honest huwa meta jaghti kazini fil pjazez tal irhula misruqa min owners and u jsiru clubs tal lejber.
Joe M Borg
Dec 13th 2012, 17:10
Byron, yes Mintoff was our true leader, as he lead us out of misery in 1998. Well said.
ray vassallo
Dec 13th 2012, 17:21
@Hossam Helwani
So what did you expect Mintoff to do with the National Bank? Give the bank a bail out from the people's money so that the poor share holders can have an extra bonus to spend while the people are called on to make sacrifices, like the E.U. did? Maybe the E.U. should learn some lessons from Mintoff. Regarding the land, you can go check for yourself who live in the housing estates.
P Buħaġiar
Dec 13th 2012, 15:41
In 25 years to reform the courts was more than enough to PN in power. If everybody looks at Alfred Sant on how appointed people, either by colour or capacity, I leave it to your opinion. Alfred Sant was enough and above 99% of ALL Maltese people Honest, that for a simple mistake, EX Minister Charles Mangion had to quit His role.
Alfred Vassallo
Dec 13th 2012, 15:40
And the pn government gave them a package increase and generous pension schemes on the eve of an election. That's why with Gonzipn everything is possible !
B Attard
Dec 13th 2012, 15:26
"No one would be held above the law". Forsi issa ghax waslet l-elezzjoni. Korruzzjoni kull fejn iddawawar wiccek.
joseph green
Dec 13th 2012, 15:25
Il kobba mhabbla wahda nobis .
martin chetcuti
Dec 13th 2012, 15:25
''Money & Friendship = Oil & Water they NEVER mix '' -- Mario Puzo
Victor Vella
Dec 13th 2012, 15:07
PM expresses concern!!!!!! What is the meaning of this???!!!!!&&&&&&.
R. Balzan
Dec 13th 2012, 15:05
"No one would be held above the law". You mean, except if they are your cabinet ministers, of course.
Alfred Falzon
Dec 13th 2012, 15:04
Not only is Dr FRANCO DEBONO still very much RELEVANT to all righteous Maltese but he will long remain a SYMBOL of STRUGGLE against abuse of power and corruption that has lately pervaded Maltese society across the board!
Yes, Dr Gonzi, he is still very much alive and kicking and he will remain so!
And many are those who beg to disagree with your conclusions!
Alfred A Falzon
Ms Rudi Mcbeal
Dec 13th 2012, 15:40
How does Franco Debono come into this?
Ghal conspiracy theories u l-paranoia tiehdu l-ewwel!
Alfred Falzon
Dec 13th 2012, 16:50
@ Ms Rudi McBeal
Dr Franco Debono was the only MP in Parliament to stand up against corruption and abuse !
The two opposite political factions PN and PL are like the pot calling the kettle black!
The PN Executive proclaimed Franco an "outlaw" because he showed his mettle against odds, against the Establishment which has now left Malta to rot!
Alfred A Falzon
rita Farrugia
Dec 13th 2012, 16:53
Take Franco to your party and he really will be RELEVANT
Joe M Borg
Dec 13th 2012, 17:13
Yes, Franco is still YAAAAAWN...sorry, history!
Alfred Falzon
Dec 14th 2012, 10:03
@ Rita Farrugia
Which Party?
Dr Franco Debono is a staunch Nationalist but not a CORRUPT one!
Alfred A Falzon
Eric Soames
Dec 13th 2012, 15:01
'.. going through a difficult and testing time.': Understatement of the year? Of course the presumption of innocence should prevail.
R. Cilia
Dec 13th 2012, 14:59
The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.(1Timothy 6:10)
Emmanuel Mazzitelli
Dec 13th 2012, 15:39
'My theme was one and ever was
Radix malorum est cupiditas' (avarice is the root of all evil)
- Godfrey Chaucer, The Pardoner's Tale
James Grech
Dec 13th 2012, 14:53
Franco was right all the time!!! This government kept dragged its feet when it came to implementing reforms in the law courts. Changing the ministers had very little effect, if any at all.
Joseph Vassallo
Dec 13th 2012, 15:13
What has the Government got to do with this?
Mr Joe Micallef
Dec 13th 2012, 15:54
You mean he was wrong all the time and really his pantomime was nothing but a cover for his fetish to become a minister. He would have been right if such cases were not prosecuted!
Joe M Borg
Dec 13th 2012, 17:15
Thank God that the gov kept dragging its feet. Just yesterday we got full marks by two credit rating bodies. If Gonzi had not dragged his feet, and done like Sant,...well.....use your imagination!
Martin Saliba
Dec 13th 2012, 14:52
12-12-12 . TOM.
The Ombudsman’s strongly worded letter follows a call by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi for Mr Justice Farrugia Sacco to “do the honourable” thing and resign....................................................................
*Joseph Brincat
Dec 13th 2012, 14:48
Every thing is falling apart under Gonzi pn even in corruption !!!
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20121205/local/malta-dips-in-corruption-index.448305
Alfred Cassar
Dec 13th 2012, 15:22
You know when Judge Ray Pace was appointed Mr Brincat? In January 1998. You know who appointed him?
So get your records straight before putting comments as if Dr Gonzi has been personally involved!!
*Joseph Brincat
Dec 13th 2012, 16:49
Alfred Cassar it is "irrelevant" who appointed him , he was under the responsibly of this government !!!
Joseph Vassallo
Dec 13th 2012, 18:49
Judge Pace was appointed by a socialist Government!
Secondly, everything seems to be going their way!
Simon Busuttil is Deputy Leader;
A marked improvement in the polls;
The EU has given a number of positive certificates to the PN Government;
Moodys too;
Joseph Muscat has given the best certificate possible to the Government - he has accepted the Budget!
Charles Vella
Dec 13th 2012, 14:47
Just for the record... these judges where appointed by Dr. Alfred Sant between 1996 - 1998... We say the PN are corrupt... in 22 months, only knows what Labour did, and at the detriment of our country. As with the corruption of the PN, we have a great country, doing financially well, only 6% unemployed etc... During Alfred Sant when all was well globally, the MLP brought Malta to it's knees!
Peter Busuttil
Dec 13th 2012, 15:12
Which judges are you talking about? If I read and understood the article correctly, only one judge is mentioned. And anyway, what has Alfred Sant to do with this story??????
Charles Vella
Dec 13th 2012, 15:27
They where appointed by Dr. Alfred Sant il Government... !!
Joseph Vassallo
Dec 13th 2012, 19:21
That is why I believe that PN will win, come March!
I know that the Maltese people are not stupid to vote for PL when the economy is performing very well compared to other countries!
Mr raynond ciancio
Dec 13th 2012, 14:42
The police would only confirm that three persons are to be taken to court to face charges of corruption. so there's more than Mr Justice Pace. i wonder?
Victor Laiviera
Dec 13th 2012, 14:41
Maybe the learned gentleman heard about the man who got a commission of €4 million for "contacting people high on the political ladder" to help BWSC get the power station contract and said to himself, "Why can't I have some of that"?
As we say in Maltese, "l-eżempju jkaxkar".
Francis Attard
Dec 13th 2012, 14:59
Ghad irrid nara, Sur Laiviera jekk Dr Muscat izommx kelmtu u jnehhi il-preskrizzjoni minn fuq kazi ta' korruzzjoni jekk ikun Prim Ministru. Jekk le, ibqa cert illi jien inkun minn ta' l-ewwell illi nikktritikah.
M Cassar
Dec 13th 2012, 15:21
Laviera, busy with damage control?
Victor Laiviera
Dec 13th 2012, 16:19
Damage? Yes - damage to the fabric of Maltese society over the last decades.
M. Zammit
Dec 13th 2012, 14:39
If the PM is shocked perhaps he needs to wake up and listen to Franco Debono even if he's been put to shame by him.
Easy to ignore the truth... to let time go by.. the PM needs to take action to rid himself (as PM) of those who are influencing him!
Franco Debono needs to be listened to. The people are fed up and the PM should stop saying he will listen to the people after each election!
Joe Galea
Dec 13th 2012, 14:26
Our country needs somebody who instigates immediate seriouness and discipline in the whole nation at all levels of society.
vincent a galea
Dec 13th 2012, 14:25
But don't people ever learn, and supposedly intelligent people at that !!!
Was there not an enormous lesson to be learnt some years ago, from the ex-Chief Justice affair??!!
My God!
Pierre Fenech
Dec 13th 2012, 14:24
Well what is sure is that Franco Debono is defiately not irrelevant as the prime minister said. Probably he knows more than the prime minister about the state of our country or he knows as much but it is not in the interst of the party for us the general public to know if not for something like this to surface. This is one of the tips of the iceberg. The biggest parts are still under water.
Ruben Mifsud
Dec 13th 2012, 14:23
At this rate, the law courts will run out of judges!!
Joseph Aquilina
Dec 13th 2012, 14:34
If need be yes. What we need are judges who love their work and know the responsibility they have towards society, towards our country!! They should remember that any ill action from their side is twice as wrong.
GL Calleja
Dec 13th 2012, 14:38
That would be the best thing to happen to our courts. We need judges who cannot be bought with 30 pieces of silver and we need judges that are fair and not motivated by politics, money and nepotism. Not all judges are bad but most live and rule by the old archaic laws and refuse to change. Judges should not be considered above the law.
James Dewar
Dec 13th 2012, 14:41
They could do with some new ones with realistic up to the minute outlooks!
Ruben Mifsud
Dec 13th 2012, 15:09
Human is corrupted in his nature ever since, There is only one Fair and Honest Judge.
vincent a galea
Dec 13th 2012, 14:21
But dont people ever learn.... and supposedly intelligent people, at that !!!!!!!!!
Was there not an enormous lesson to be learnt some years ago from the ex-Chief Justice's affair??!!
My God !!
Joseph Aquilina
Dec 13th 2012, 14:20
Here you see the clear difference between our current Prime Minister, Dr.Gonzi, and the leader of the opposition, Joseph Muscat. Gonzi immediately and without reservation assures all that justice will made regardless of who is being accused. Joseph Muscat - as history shows us - invited those accused of corruption or had other legal trouble on lejber media.
*Joseph Brincat
Dec 13th 2012, 14:26
Joseph Aquilina
OH ,brado , brado go and tell it to the marins
John Grech
Dec 13th 2012, 14:27
Dak gonzi li ma jiddejjaqx jikkometi ruhhu ghalkemm jista jitlef il voti. Tibzax gonzi is sewwa jirbah zgur!! Kompli mexxi skond s sewwa.
GL Calleja
Dec 13th 2012, 14:44
Get real Mr Aquilina. This Prime Minister has been in power for five years and look at the condition of our corruptible courts. Our courts are the butt joke of the EU and Joseph Muscat has never even gotten close to being a Prime Minister. By the way I do not, do not favour Joseph Muscat for Prime Minister, I leave that up to the voters..
Joseph Mizzi
Dec 13th 2012, 14:50
The Prime Minister does not, and should not, have any say in the investigation and eventual arraignment by the Police of ANY individual. The moment he utters an opinion, he'd be interfering with the course of justice.
Charles Vella
Dec 13th 2012, 14:52
Mr. Aquilina, you fail to mention that the judge mentioned on this news item, and the the other judge accused of the Olypmic Tickets corruption where both appointed by Labour in 1997.
Maria Xuereb
Dec 13th 2012, 14:56
If i'm not mistaken this Judge was chosen by a PN goverment. Correct me if I'm wrong. But if I'm right the PN is responsable and of course Dr. Gonzi should be worried because at the moment he is the Prime Minister and he should shoulder the responsability of what is going right or wrong in this country. Af for Joseph Muscat he always said that his party is open to every body friend and foe.
Jes Farrugia
Dec 13th 2012, 15:13
@GL Calleja
Dan hu l-frott ta l-ahhar gvern socjalista ta zmien Dr Alfred Sant!
M Grima
Dec 13th 2012, 15:14
Do you know the result when you make wild assumptions Mr. Aquilina? Yes, exactly you make an a.... of yourself.
Jes Farrugia
Dec 13th 2012, 15:16
@ Maria Xuereb
No Maria Mr Justice Ray Pace was choosen by Dr Alfred Sant in February 98.
Alfred Vassallo
Dec 13th 2012, 15:16
@ U halina ghax ma tejc li il pn ta promotion lil dawk li kien haqqhom jihdu x'haga ohra (post 1987) u mela promotion!
carmel cassar
Dec 13th 2012, 14:19
The more that the prmeminister says DEBONO is irrelevant,time is proving otherwise.
L Zammit
Dec 13th 2012, 15:02
Debono who? L-ewwel hu, t-tieni hu u t-tielet hu.
Joseph Fenech
Dec 13th 2012, 14:11
Like Prime Minister Gonzi has been saying all along -- Everyone is responsible for his actions . Punto e basta. if a Judge, an MP or the Man in the street take decisions then he/she must then face the music. At least under the PN Government , the Police were let to do their job without political interference - vide the number of persons whether Socialist or Nationalist who were arraigned.
*Joseph Brincat
Dec 13th 2012, 14:09
SO for Gonzi pn Dr Debono is not so "irrelevant"
Who knows who is "irrelevant"
Joseph Aquilina
Dec 13th 2012, 14:37
Franco never pointed his finger against any judge; so do not to try to give extra merits to Franco to try and keep him relevant. Franco said what was obvious to all! Everyone agrees that court cases are taking too long and should not take so long.
Alfred Falzon
Dec 13th 2012, 14:58
@ Joseph Aquilina
Not only is FRANCO relevant to all righteous Maltese but he will long remain the SYMBOL OF STRUGGLE against all types of abuses and corruption that has pervaded Maltese society across the board!
Alfred A Falzon
Joe Calleja
Dec 13th 2012, 16:02
@ Alfred A. Falzon
Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha! LOLLLL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Alfred Falzon
Dec 14th 2012, 10:06
@ Joe Calleja
There is a saying which goes as following:
"The one who laughs last, laughs best!"
Some food for thought for blind partisans who always say "yes"!!
Alfred A Falzon
Alfred Falzon
Dec 14th 2012, 10:24
@ Re Alfred Falzon
Today, 10:06
Errata Corrige
Please note that "as following" should read "as follows".
The error is regretted.
Alfred A Falzon
Alfred Falzon
Dec 13th 2012, 14:06
And the judiciary expects respect from Joe Citizen.? Is the way they justify the package increase and generous pension scheme? Another percentage point down for Malta when it comes to corrupt practice.
Josephine Tanti
Dec 13th 2012, 14:06
As much as I dispose politics irrespective of color, I have to admit that Dr. Debono was right. I hope and trust that whoever wins the next general election addresses the serious issue of loss of values in the Maltese society. Cold blooded shooting, rape of children by priests, corrupt politicians and an equally corrupt justice system. May God help us out of this abyss.
twanny borg
Dec 13th 2012, 14:06
prosit sur prim ministru hekk ghandu jkun hadd ma huwa 'l-fuq mil-ligi. prosit ukoll imur ghall-kummissarju u l-korp li jiehdu passi kontra kulhadd int min int. differenti minn zmien il-pl meta biex jostru qtil xi hadd pogga arma ghand bniedem innocenti.
Ivan M. Dingli
Dec 13th 2012, 15:09
Filfatt Sur Borg, kemm ilu il-PN fil-Gvern qatt ma gara xejn hazin f'dan il-pajjiz. Konna genna ta' l'art tant li l'angli bdew nezlin mis-sema u sejhu Malta 'Home Sweet Home'.
Geoffrey Farrugia
Dec 13th 2012, 14:04
This is the result of the way members of judiciary have been chosen over time! And the same mistakes keep repeating themselves over and over again. The way members of judiciary are chosen is in itself wrong and the choice always falls on friends of friends within the inner circle. The responsibility of what is happening falls also on who is making the choices and approving them.
Joe Vella
Dec 13th 2012, 14:29
Judge Pace was appointed in February 1998.
paul camilleri
Dec 13th 2012, 14:33
Mr Farrugia it is impossible to select an "Qaddis" because hardly any of those left. it all boils down to the fact that while a person remains in high office such as judges and magistrates they tend to fall foul to the thinking that they are above the law and no one will ever touch them. but like all criminals in the end they get caught.
this no doubt is thanks to our policing system.
Jes Farrugia
Dec 13th 2012, 14:49
"The responsibility of what is happening falls also on who is making the choices and approving them."
@ Geoffrey
Mr Justice Ray Pace was appointed in February 1998. Who is responsible?
Lawrence Fenech
Dec 13th 2012, 14:04
Fancy Gonzi telling everybody that "nobody is above the law" another joke from the same man.
twanny borg
Dec 13th 2012, 14:09
@lawrence fenech- jekk taf b'xi hadd u ghandek il-provi mhux duhhan tkellem. facli titfa t-tajn u tahbi idek.
A Camilleri
Dec 13th 2012, 14:27
The hard facts show otherwise. If you are really convinced of what you're saying, then elaborate, rather than making an illogical blanket statement. Tell us Mr Fenech, where do you see the humour in all this
Mr Kevin Zammit
Dec 13th 2012, 14:03
Everybody know Dr. Franco Debono was correct with all he said but nobody wants to admit this because of partisan politics. Reds because they have to face the same in the future blues because they dont want to admit one of them went public. It is up to us public to choose who we believe ... should FD contest independent would you vote for him? Then this state of affairs is our making as well.
N Zahra
Dec 13th 2012, 14:07
Couldn't agree with you more!
Michael Borg
Dec 13th 2012, 14:13
what did franco say ? that there is a corrupt judge ??? these thing happen everywhere . had , still are , and will continue to happen!! no gonzi or joseph muscat will ever solve corruption , drugs , prostitution, murders, and robberies !!! + abuse from social benefits , sorry thats life !!
*Joseph Brincat
Dec 13th 2012, 14:22
Mr Kevin Zammi
FD contest independent would you vote for him?
I would, >>> any one else ??
Mr Kevin Zammit
Dec 13th 2012, 15:25
I would vote for him yes, but the system is skewed as AD is finding very well for itself. FD would need to convince 1 single district!!! Hardly a fair chance!
@Michael
Franco proposed measures to have more transparency and reform the court. Measures that were ignored by the PM
Alexander Brincat
Dec 13th 2012, 14:01
This case has shocked the Prime Minister, Lawrence Gonzi.
Seems that Franco Debono's concerns on the state of affairs of the legal system and judiciary are still valid.
Dr Debono is not so "irrelevant" after all ! In reality it is only the Prime Minister who has lost complete touch with the country's state of affairs.
charles bone
Dec 13th 2012, 13:56
From what happened in the past,and what is happening in the present, is Justice still Just?
Jay Oatmon
Dec 13th 2012, 13:51
The disgrace of Malta's courts continues and Dr DeBono was right in raisng this issue - and Dr Gonzi did nothing to fix this national disgrace.
*Joseph Brincat
Dec 13th 2012, 14:01
Jay Oatmon
I agree 101%
George Cutajar
Dec 13th 2012, 14:01
@ and what would you have expected Dr. Gonzi to do in a case like this? Justice will take it's course and nobody will interfere or pull strings so please stop trying to implicate government in this difficult moment for the judiciary and Malta in general.
GL Calleja
Dec 13th 2012, 14:02
Agree with you and this has been going on for a long time. That is why I say no administration should rule for this long. The government gets careless and it behaves like a dictatorship. But on the other hand this administration was voted in for 25 consecutive years by the people for the people. Now they have to suffer the consequences.
John Caruana
Dec 13th 2012, 14:04
What exactly can he do regarding bad apples among the judiciary - he cannot remove ! Indeed when he tried once, for clear reasons, the opposition blocked him. Why doesn't the Commission regularly audit judges and magistrates performance to identify sentences and verdicts which anyone can see are ridiculous and then investigate these to determine whether they were caused by incompetence or worse?
Jay Oatmon
Dec 13th 2012, 14:13
to George Cutajar :
Action was needed years ago this 'do nothing' attitude is no answer.
An 'all party committee' should have been formed and tasked to investigate and recommend changes to fix this disgraceful situation - where the public is failed buy the courts and judiciary on an almost daily basis.
twanny borg
Dec 13th 2012, 14:19
gonzi ma jahbi xejn u jhalli l-pulizija tahdem mhux bhal fi zmien il-pl mhemmx ghalfejn insemmi. il-maltin ghalhekk ivvutawlu. ma narax x'ghandu x'jaqsam franco f'dan il-kaz.
Ruben Mifsud
Dec 13th 2012, 14:22
@ GL Calleja, correction, PN was not in goverment for 25 consecutive years, In 1986 MLP was elected. Since 1987 all elections were held in time if not earlier, PN is in goverment ever since just because he was reelected!! On MLP stayed in goverment for 5 years and 6 months 1981-1987. And PL now says that Gonzi is clinged to power!! What hypocrisy!!
Joseph P. Borg
Dec 13th 2012, 14:23
Dr Debono never raised any issiue regarding corruption enacted by judges/magistrates. I was the only one who reported a magistrate and two judges to the Permanent Commission Against Coruption,the last one of whom decided to resign promptly before being forced to do so.
Joseph Aquilina
Dec 13th 2012, 14:25
@GL Calleja
The problem is that Malta in these last 25years never had an alternative ans still does not have one. The only option for this country is PN. Even in terms of corruption. PN and Gonzi always took allegations of corruption very seriously; filing reports to the police regardless of who was being accused!! That is honesty!! Joseph invited those accused of corruption on lejber media!!
Joseph Arpa
Dec 13th 2012, 14:35
@ GL Calleja
That has to be one of the best explanations of thhe past 25 yrs (in a nutshell) that I've ever heard. I agree, what we have today is a democratic dictatorship.
Joseph Arpa
Dec 13th 2012, 14:41
@ Joseph Aquilina
You think there is no alternative because PN has brainwashed the you to believe so, they have already started scaring people again. If PL is never given chance to govern how can one say. PN and Gonzi dont take curroption seriously, THEY are part of the problem and do their best to hide it under the carpet. We have witnessed this many times in parliament.
George Cutajar
Dec 13th 2012, 14:51
@ what action.? Presiding members ofnthe judiciary ,once appointed, are autonomous. How can one blame Government for the actions of somebody who is totally independant from the Government? We should thank our syatem of checks and balances where nobody is above the law.
Ruben Mifsud
Dec 13th 2012, 15:03
@ Joseph Arpa
PL was always given a chance, he Failed!! Since 1987 election were always held in thier due time!!
Joe Fenech
Dec 13th 2012, 13:42
This is a pre election stunt. Everyone know that the courts are an ass and that the judges' work is hilarious!
Please choose the reason of your report below: