As Malta’s hospitals concession prosecutions continue to unravel in court, the role of key financial players remains under-examined. Foremost among them is PwC Malta, which advised on the now-notorious Vitals Global Healthcare (VGH) concession. Questions about PwC’s accountability are mounting, but so far, the firm has evaded serious scrutiny. An investigative article by Corbin’s Voice has shone a spotlight on the intertwined roles of Edgar Borg—former Chief Finance and Administration Officer at Malta’s Ministry of Health—and PwC, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest.
Borg, who now chairs the Malta Accountancy Board, is tasked with overseeing audit firms like PwC Malta, which were involved in the VGH concession during his tenure at the ministry. Despite his prominent role in managing the financing of Malta’s health sector—including the controversial VGH project—Borg has emerged unscathed from an inquiry that has engulfed other top officials. Yet this very position of power raises questions about impartiality in his current regulatory role.
Borg’s lawyer, responding to our investigation, firmly denies any conflict of interest, calling the allegations “unfounded in fact and at law.” The statement also comes with a stern warning: should the publication persist with what Borg describes as “gratuitous and calumnious allegations,” legal action may follow.
A Pattern of SLAPP Lawsuits in Malta
This threat is far from an isolated incident in Malta’s media landscape. Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP) are an increasingly common tactic used to intimidate journalists and silence investigative reporting. Earlier this year, Malta was crowned “SLAPP Country of the Year” by the Coalition Against SLAPPs in Europe (CASE) for the frequent and abusive use of lawsuits aimed at deterring journalists from exposing wrongdoing. SLAPP suits are an ever-present danger for Maltese media outlets seeking to uncover corruption or hold powerful individuals to account.
Corbin’s Voice will not accept such threats as a means to quash public interest reporting. As an investigative portal, we remain committed to editorial independence and transparency, even in the face of intimidation. SLAPP lawsuits are designed to stifle press freedom by threatening prolonged and expensive legal battles, but our focus is on serving the public and continuing to provide balanced, fact-based reporting.
Investigative Journalism: A Public Service
In the spirit of transparency, Corbin’s Voice reached out to Mr. Borg with a set of pointed questions about his role during the VGH concession, his position as chairman of the Accountancy Board, and PwC’s involvement. His responses, via legal counsel, vigorously denied any wrongdoing and rejected the suggestion of a conflict of interest.
Nonetheless, we remain steadfast in our mission to investigate the connections between regulators, public officials, and private interests. The Maltese public has a right to know the full story, and Corbin’s Voice will not be cowed by legal threats designed to stifle accountability.
