Let me be frank. What’s in a name?  Does it make any difference?  In my generation babies were named after grandparents or the patron saint of the parents’ locality. Today babies are more likely to be named for a favourite film star or singer, or whatever takes the parents’ fancy!  Names are required for identification purposes; otherwise people will have great difficulty in identifying someone.  Strange as it may be, or maybe it’s just a mere coincidence, another Franco has hit the local media.  It is certainly not a sign to us mortals from above!  Please wipe out any supernatural or mystic feeling which may be creeping on you.  It is a coincidence that both our Francos have an attitude.  We simply have to learn to live with a Franco!  Or yet another!

Dr Franco Debono

During the last legislature the PN had a Franco within its folds who was restless and created unwarranted and unlimited swells to his party.  From day one he started to rock the boat vigorously.   He grew larger than his shadow and out of all proportions for his boots with which, it seemed, he enjoyed kicking his own party.  He must have been thrilled with every minute of media attention he gained and the limelight he garnered with his skillfully mastered antics.  He also cleverly bargained his high public pitched stands against his own party with others who were seeking support for the most obvious reasons.   

Over the past four and a half years the lawyer by the name of Franco sent shivers down many spines, raised eyebrows, encouraged many to speak out of turn with, at times, inappropriate language which further disturbed relationships within “his” team.  He even went a step further and swapped his passion for personal glory without due consideration to the negative effects this had on others.  Franco held hostage the nation at his will.  After the result of the general election it became manifestly clear that the Labour Party had managed to attract the support of misguided Franco to its folds.  It was game over for the PN and Franco, as was expected, received the prize for his actions and political misbehavior.  Franco’s star had reached its zenith of his short-lived political career and today he has to contend with the judgment that others pass on his actions and line of thinking.   People could not be bothered the least with the many superlatives he attributed to himself.  Unfortunately for Franco he has rendered insignificant too early in his political career for too many people.     

Mr Franco Mercieca

The Labour Party walked into office and another Franco was called to serve as Parliamentary Secretary within the Ministry responsible from the Family and Social Solidarity. Mr. Franco Mercieca is an ophthalmic surgeon by profession.  He is assigned a portfolio to look into and champion issues relating to Rights of Persons with Disability and Active Ageing.  Undoubtedly a job which requires more productive weekly hours than one can even start to imagine.

To the surprise of many, and against established procedures and practices, immediately after Mr. Franco Mercieca took oath to serve the country he sought the permission of the Prime Minister - which was acceded to - and continued with his sterling profession attending to his patients both privately and at the national hospital.  Although the permission was granted, albeit on limited terms, it was and still is very clear that this goes against the provisions of the Code of Ethics which Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries are duty bound to adhere to.  On this occasion, the Codes booklet was blatantly ignored, shelved for future reference in case some other Minister or Parliamentary Secretary comes forward with a request to be exempted from such provisions.  The loudly professed accountability and transparency by the PL during the electoral campaign were short lived.  Like meritocracy, accountability and transparency were empty promises by the PL.  Thousands were attracted to the folds of the PL particularly because of these pledges but now it is becoming evident that the Prime Minister believes more in “common sense” than adhering to the established Code of Ethics. It seems that the PL, for the convenience of its Parliamentary Secretary Mr. Franco Mercieca and higher financial gains, was willing to ride roughshod over established rules and procedures.    

Franco the Dictator

Franco was Spain’s dictator and from 1939 his rule was law.  Franco displayed all the usual characteristics of a right wing dictatorship.  Those who offered opposition were ruthlessly dealt with and the nation had to endure the activities of a secret police force; all the aspects of politics that would have been taken for granted in Europe, such as fair elections and political opposition, were not tolerated in Spain.  In July 1947, a law was passed that made Franco head of state for life. Students organized protests and riots about lack of personal freedom. The leaders of the Roman Catholic Church constantly complained in different ways.  Yet Franco reigned until his old age, when he had a change of heart.

Pope Francis I

Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina is the new Pope. He is the first Jesuit Pope and the first Latin American Pope. He is a very vocal advocate for the poor. He is 76 and is considered a straight-shooter who calls things as he sees them and a follower of the church's most conservative wing.  He took the name Pope Francis I. Thankfully, for the Roman Catholics and the rest of the world he opted for Francis not for Franco. Franco could have led Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio into troubled waters as the three Franco’s above have clearly demonstrated.  After all a name sometimes, does make a difference!

We are blessed with Pope Francis I.      

Gejtu Vella

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