We all know, or expected to know, the separation of powers in a democracy and the importance of such division.  The clear demarcation lines of power in a democracy are to prevent abuse of power and to safeguard citizens’ rights.  The separation of powers is an essential element to protect the rule of law.

The three powers, legislative, executive and judicial are separated and none of them is more important than the other two.  They have equal responsibilities and hold independent offices.  The assigned tasks to the three different institutions are well defined in such a way that each of them can check the others.  It is called the balance of power.

Parliament an important institution has the roles and functions of the legislative arm. Our parliamentarians debate on many occasions in a serene atmosphere.  Most of our parliamentarians taking part in a parliamentary debate brief themselves well on the issues under review, do extensive research on the subject and overall the debates are a pleasant experience to follow. 

Yet, at times, and this is becoming more frequent some of our parliamentarians lose their cool and they turn the House into a vocal scales exercise playing the tenor, baritone, soprano, and alto. The House, an architectural master piece of our times is turned into a large slum building with boisterous squatters.  Missing from a typical slum are the washing lines with linen and underwear hanging. In a frenzy attempt to hide the current wrongdoings the current administration is searching in cupboards and drawers for stowed used dirty linen of the previous administration.

Some remarks and comments hurled from one side of the House to the other and vice-versa are not consonant with the prestige and importance of the building.  The net result from such political debates is doing more harm than good to constructive national debate.   I believe that people are getting more interested in results-oriented political debates than futile unproductive contests.  

With the introduction of the televised House sessions, a move in the right direction, parliamentarians should ensure that their contributions are enlightening to the people and constructive in nature.     It beats me why some of our politicians need to stoop low in the House during debates setting low standards to the community at large.

Bang!

During question time last week it was revealed that the PN government back in 2011 and 2012 had awarded two contracts by direct order to a company in which former Prime Minister's son was a director.  This revelation was tabled in Parliament by the current Prime Minister.  He was replying to a question put forward  by PL backbencher Silvio Schembri.

The general public shocked with this information waited in suspense on the edge of their comfy sofa at home for a couple of minutes in anticipation for more details to be revealed.

The direct contracts awarded were two.

One in 2011 to Global Translations Solutions amounted to €59.00.  The other, the direct order contract was awarded in 2012 for proof reading and correction services for €236.00.

Yes, there is no mistake.    

Is this the best inquisitive question the young PL MP could come up with?

The question is an insult to the general public intelligence.  The reply could not be any better. Ask a silly question and you’ll get a silly answer.    Question time in Parliament should be utilised productively and yes, by all means, MPs from both sides should seek to retrieve adequate information which should help government improve its performance and aid the general public form a political opinion on the current state of affairs.     

Some arithmetical calculations would show that the time consumed including salaries, wages, and fringe benefits enjoyed by the Prime Minister, Silvio Schembri MP and the hourly rate paid to civil servants instructed to dig into cupboards and files is by far higher than the €295 contracts awarded to the former PM’s son.

It is very clear this question contributed towards more public funds to be thrown out of the window in a windy day.  Yet funds are not made available to people in need.    

Corruption or properly put, alleged cases of corruption in this legislature has reached unprecedented levels.  For the sake of space I am not going to list all cases here.  To be fair with you, this will save my time and trouble with those who I fail to remember to mention here as the list is fast growing longer.  The cash figures involved is believed to be in the seven digit bracket and counting.

Gejtu Vella

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