The PN said that it is aware that a lot of pressure is being made on public officials in who work in ministries to turn a blind eye, however appealed for them to stand up to politicians.

During a press conference alongside PN MP Darren Carabott, PN MP Claudette Buttigieg made an appeal to public officials such as permanent secretaries. "Do not let these politicians do what they want. You have an obligation to the country. Your duty is to safeguard good governance in Malta." She added that she is aware that there is much pressure for public officials to turn a blind eye however pointed out that Ombudsman Joseph Zammit McKeon is lobbying to make good governance, with regards to the administration of public funds, a fundamental human right.

On his part, Carabott said that currently, the PN and the people feel that with "one scandal you forget another" due to their quick succession. "We have no pleasure in saying this but unfortunately we are in this situation." He said that it is difficult for MPs who follow politics 24/7 to keep up, let alone how difficult it is for members of the public.

The Standards Commissioner's report found that Bartolo and Camilleri had abused their power when Bartolo's girlfriend at the time, now his wife, Amanda Muscat was given a consultancy job within the Ministry for Gozo which she had no qualifications for and did not do. The Standards Committee unanimously decided to adopt the conclusions of the Standards Commissioner's report which found that the two relevant Ministers had breached ethics.

Carabott said that as the Bartolo-Camilleri scandal unfolded the Auditor General concluded an investigation into the Malta Film Commission, called on by the PN.

the National Audit Office had found a number of issues with good governance during the handling of the 2022 Malta Film Week.

"The PN makes a clear point: there is serious abuse [in the Malta Film Commission]" Carabott said. He went on to sketch out that the NAO report found that the Malta Film Commission lacked a business plan for the Malta Film Week with the Malta Film Commissioner, Johann Grech, failing to present his books, such that the Auditor General was unable to value the total amount spent during the Malta Film Week. He added that the lack of audit trail and the failure to provide minutes of its meetings showed glaring lack of good governance within The Malta Film commission which, he stressed, is using the people's money.

Carabott spoke of the Malta Film Commission and the Bartolo-Camilleri scandals and insisted that it must stop. He added that the Prime Minister's defence "in the face of this fraud doesn't make sense." On the other hand, he said, "We are giving the benefit of the doubt to the institutions, that they will do their job" and explained that this is why the PN is waiting and took a step back.

"We are receiving feedback from traditional Labourites who are very disappointed with such a fragmented party," Carabott said.