"Power must be exercised responsibly, decisions must be transparent, and governance must remain rooted in fairness. This is not a slogan - it is a duty," stated the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Anġlu Farrugia, when he addressed those present during the official reception marking the 30th Anniversary of the Office of the Ombudsman, held this evening at the Parliament of Malta.

The Speaker said that the Parliament of Malta is not merely a legislative chamber, but the living symbol of the people's voice and the guardian of democracy's moral foundation. He noted that the Office of the Ombudsman serves as the institutional conscience of the State - a safeguard ensuring that authority remains answerable, and that citizens can rely on justice administered with transparency and integrity. He continued by saying that the Ombudsman's role today carries renewed urgency in a world shaped by global instability, social pressures, and rapid technological change.

Speaker Anġlu Farrugia further observed that democracy must be constantly renewed through vigilance and responsibility, insisting that institutions must act not out of convenience but conviction. He added that the 30th anniversary of the Ombudsman's Office is not only a commemoration but a moment of reflection - a call to strengthen fairness and restore public trust through ethical governance and human-centred decision-making.

Reflecting on the artistic dimension of the occasion, the Speaker remarked that the "Art for Rights" exhibition forms a bridge between art and conscience, transforming ideals into expression. He said that the works of the young Maltese artists do not merely adorn the halls of Parliament but give them voice and depth - a reminder that the defence of rights does not live solely in legal texts or institutions, but also in creativity, empathy, and moral courage.

The event was also addressed by the Ombudsman, Judge Emeritus Joseph Zammit McKeon, who reflected on the Office's thirty-year journey and its continuing mission to uphold justice, integrity, and service to the citizen.