No cover-up in assets declarations, House president says

The special parliamentary committee on the source of funds of state officials has always adhered to the relevant legislation, as it stands, and cannot be accused of a cover-up, House Speaker Adamos Adamou said Thursday.

Adamou was responding to allegations that former health minister Giorgos Pamboridis had filed a fraudulent personal asset declarations statement, and that despite this the special parliamentary committee took no action.

In a statement, Adamou said that upon examination of Pamboridis’ assets declaration, it contained no fraudulent information.

Under the law, the assets declaration includes information on state officials as individuals. Information on legal entities/corporations is not required. State officials are therefore not compelled to declare assets in legal entities, such as any stock they might own in any given company.

As such, the statement filed by Pamboridis was true, Adamou said.

“Any shortcomings in the applicable legislation are already being examined by the relevant parliamentary committee with the aim of amending its clauses. In any event, however, any amendment cannot have retroactive effect.”

The current legislation on officials’ asset declarations is seen as laughable by many, as it does not compel politicians to disclose all their assets or explain where they came from.

Since their publication, the statements have been used to criticise or mock politicians.

A bill was in the works to amend and tighten up the legislation, but has been pushed to the next session of the House when the body reconstitutes after the May 30 elections.