President announces governmental inquiry

President George Abela has publicly ‘dumped’ the former secretary to the Presidency Olaph Terribile, revealing in a press conference today that he had approached the head of the Civil Service to have Terribile removed from office.

In an unprecedented move, President Abela yesterday summoned the media to San Anton in an apparent bid to thwart rumours about the imminent publication of alleged financial mismanagement at the Office of the President.

He announced that government had established a board of inquiry to “establish facts” that have apparently emerged since the resignation of Terribile as secretary to the Presidency, and to investigate an alleged ‘leak of documents’ from the Office of the President.

The President alleged that documents from his office have been “circulated” among some journalists, stopping short of pointing fingers directly at Olaph Terribile.

Although he announced the governmental inquiry himself, President Abela was vague in his answers when specifically asked what the board would investigate, who had been nominated to head it and what its terms of reference are.

“Ask government, I cannot reply for government on his inquiry,” Abela said.

Not even Martin Bugelli, the director general of government communication who sat next to the President during the press conference, could give an answer.

“I have been given no information, perhaps something will be made public next week,” he said.

President Abela said that the board of inquiry was set up on Friday, and went as far as to say that the board had been set up following a report made by a member of his office staff. The Department of Information later issued a press release to announce that the board would be headed by former Cabinet secretary, Alfred Fiorini Lowell.

Asked by MaltaToday what the alleged leaked documents contain, President Abela replied: “that is something the board of inquiry has to establish.”

He also kept mum on whether he believed his office was being blackmailed by means of the ‘leaked documents.’

Asked also whether he had compromised Olaph Terribile’s position – who supposedly will be taking up the post of Malta’s Deputy High Commissioner in London – given that he declared his “no confidence” in him, President Abela enigmatically replied: “it has nothing to do…”

President Abela explained that he himself had approached the head of the Civil Service Godwin Grima and reported that he no longer had any confidence in Terribile.

“I didn’t select him, he came highly recommended to me,” Abela said, adding that following his complaint to Godwin Grima, “Olaph Terribile’s position was declared no longer tenable as of June 9.”

President Abela downplayed the controversy about the expenditure incurred by his office for the refurbishing of the Sir Anthony Mamo Room inside San Anton Palace, explaining that a complete refurbishment was made because “nothing was done to it in 20 years.”

According to the President, the funds for the project were approved by the Ministry of Finance, while adding that the “only reason” why an issue ensued over the payment of a €12,600 direct order was because Olaph Terribile, the senior signatory to the payment, was no longer in office.

According to President Abela, the finance ministry had raised concerns after a series of misunderstandings over the interpretation of the words “cannot be endorsed” carried in a note by Terribile to the finance ministry.

It is understood that Terribile had stated “cannot be endorsed” because he couldn’t sign anymore, and after this was explained by the Office of the President, it was established that there was nothing out of the ordinary.

Referring to reports in MaltaToday about the ‘absorption’ of Image 2000, a beleagured production company, into the Office of the President and the employment of two of its directors with the Community Chest Fund, President Abela directed the matter to the board that governs the Community Chest Fund.

“It was a unanimous decision by the board to employ Fabian Mizzi and Noel Pace,” President Abela said, adding that it made sense for the CCF to form an audio visual department rather than engaging another firm for productions related to campaigns such as L-Istrina.

Asked why Fabian Mizzi and Noel Pace were selected, when their colleague Marica Mizzi was already press secretary and secretary to the same company, President Abela admitted there was no call for applications.

“The MCCF board looked for the people and the equipment,” he said.

President Abela stressed his belief in transparency, and said that when he was appointed to the Palace he had asked the National Audit Office to monitor the office closely.

But when asked if such an audit has been made, President Abela said that: “so far a report for 2008 has been made,” while a draft of his tenure has just been submitted and that “verifications” are currently being made.

He did not explain what verifications were necessary, once the report was compiled by the NAO.