Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/679878
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 15 MAY 2016 9 News The Corporate and Business package from Banif Bank offers me a banking experience based on high quality service and a strong relationship built on trust. I can benefit from a differentiated service based upon customer-centricity given by a team of professional bankers. My Corporate Relationship Manager will visit me on a regular basis with the objective of better understanding my business operations and assessing my banking requirements. SERVICE EXCELLENCE SERVICE EXCELLENCE BUSINESS CENTRES St. Julian's: Level 1, 125-126, Main Street Paola: Level 1, 90, Pjazza Antoine De Paule Mosta: Level 1, 12, Constitution Street +356 2260 1000 banif.com.mt f l Banif Bank (Malta) plc Terms and conditions apply. Facilities are subject to the Bank's lending criteria. Banif Bank (Malta) plc is a credit institution licensed to undertake the business of banking by the MFSA in terms of the Banking Act 1994 and is a member of the Depositor Compensation Scheme established under the Depositor Compensation Scheme Regulations (Legal notice 385 of 2015). Registered in Malta C41030 – 203, Level 2, Rue D'Argens, Gzira, GZR 1368, Malta. Ombudsman's conflict flagged in complaint to Speaker, PM CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Accord- ing to the complaint, which this newsroom received earlier this month, Pace's signature appears on the method statement for the January 2013 application for the Old Theatre Street store, while he was already occupying the post of planning ombudsman. Additionally, the anonymous complainant states, the VAT number cited by Pace is 1241- 4931, which is also different from the 1241-4930 VAT num- ber Pace holds personally as a professional architect. Additionally, Pace is the ma- jority shareholder of his fam- ily practice Datum Limited, which employed the same ar- chitect, Katya Agius, represent- ing the Valletta applicant on PA 2630/12. "I won't identify myself, but I expect action," the anonymous complainant said in the letter sent to the Prime Minister. "This information impacts on the ob- servance of the Ombudsman Act which regulates Pace as commis- sioner for planning and the envi- ronment." Article 4 of the Ombudsman Act states that the office of Om- budsman shall be incompatible with the exercise of any profes- sional, banking, commercial or trade union activity, or other ac- tivity for profit or reward. "The Ombudsman shall not hold any position which is in- compatible with the correct per- formance of his official duties or with his impartiality and inde- pendence or with public confi- dence therein. The Ombudsman shall declare to, and seek the approval of, the Speaker of the House of Representatives to any positions, trusts or memberships which the Ombudsman consid- ers do not affect impartiality, or independence and public confi- dence, and which it is desired to retain during the term of office." The same legal article applies to all commissioners appointed under the Ombudsman, which include the planning and medi- cal commissioners. Zebbug: gun wielded in neighbours' feud AN argument between three Haz-Zebbug neighbours this morning turned ugly after one of them pointed a gun at the other two. The fight began when two neighbours, a 65-year old man and a 51-year old, came to blows after an argument. The 51-year-old injured the 65-year-old, prompting the latter's son to threaten his fa- ther's foe with a metal bar. The 51-year-old retreated to his house and eventually re-emerged with a gun that he pointed in the direction of the father and son. An off-duty police sergeant who was in the vicinity managed to calm the situation down. The 65-year-old man was rushed to Mater Dei for treat- ment, where he was found to have suffered grievous but not life-threatening injuries. Both he and the 51-year old were arrested and are being held for questioning. The fight occurred at around 8:45am in Triq il-Kandlora. Motorcyclist grievously injured A 32-year-old man was hospi- talised suffering from grievous injuries after he lost control of his motorcycle and hit a centre strip. The incident happened at around 3.15pm in Hal Kirkop The man, from Imqabba, was driving towards Gudja when the incident happened. A police in- vestigation is underway. Factory worker hospitalised A factory worker was rushed to hospital this morning after his hand got stuck in a machine he was working on. The incident occurred at around 5:30am at a factory within the Marsa In- dustrial Estate. The worker, a 32-year-old man from Fgura, was rushed to hospital for treatment. An inquiry is being held and the police are investigating. David Pace, planning ombudsman