President George Vella has accused activist group Repubblika of distorting the truth following claims that he did not acknowledge their submissions for the proposed constitutional reform.

“Repubblika are entitled to their opinions. However, they have no right to distort facts to mislead,” the Office of the President said.

It was explained that Vella received Repubblika’s documents on 15th March and sent a reply to Marion Pace Asciak the very same day.

On 15^th March, then Dr Vella received a packet letter containing documents from Repubblika dealing with Constitutional Reform.

“As he was still not in office, Dr Vella was not in a position to discuss the matter. He answered that he could only promise that once he was in office, he would be more than willing to meet and discuss the matter,” the Office of the President said.

Pace Asciak, they said, had responded to the email on 18th March thanking him for his prompt response.

“We very much look forward to meeting with you to discuss the matter once you are in office. So much for credibility,” she is quoted as saying.

“The President is willing to meet, as he usually does with any civil society representatives, once a formal request is made,” the Office said.

In yesterday’s statement from Repubblika, the group also said that the current constitutional reform was very limited in scope and that they found ‘no comfort’ in the participation of the President in the process.

“Irrespective of whatever moral authority President George Vella might hope to have, the government has repeatedly demonstrated its determination to use its unhindered control of Parliament to implement Constitutional changes that serve its own interests,” they said.

The issue was not addressed in the President’s statement.

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