Whoever exploits charity for dirty political or personal agendas — as this online newspaper has done — is spitting at the sky… and it falls right back in their face.
We are issuing this statement so that everyone is clearly informed about what was published about us by The Shift News.
We, at Doninu (Malta) International, have always worked wholeheartedly in service of vulnerable people. We operate with transparency, without fear, and without any political or religious affiliation. Our sole purpose is to help — not to engage in conflict or create division.
However, it seems that some individuals are uncomfortable with our presence and work in the voluntary sector, and are attempting to cause harm intentionally.
We are referring directly to Mr. Jesmond Saliba, the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations (CVO), who we know had a role in connection with the article published by The Shift News. In fact, he provided comments to the journalists — comments which were neither fair nor accurate, especially given the responsibility of the position he holds.
We expect public officials, especially regulatory authorities, to act impartially, precisely, and fairly in all their communications and actions — not to participate in narratives that can damage organisations working selflessly for the wellbeing of others.
Below is the link to the article published about us on The Shift News on the 14th of April 2024:
We remain committed to transparency and open communication with the public. While we disagree with the tone and accuracy of certain statements in the article — including comments provided by public officials — we reaffirm our mission to support vulnerable individuals without bias or political influence.
Our Response to The Shift News Article
We are aware of the motivations behind the publication of this article, and we understand very well the context in which it was written. What stands out most is the undue focus placed on Mr. Schembri.
As an organisation, Doninu (Malta) International does not pass judgment on individuals. If someone approaches us for assistance — particularly when it comes to providing food for families in need — we do not turn anyone away. Our mission is not to judge, but to help. Compassion and dignity are the values we stand by.
Formal Report in Response to Article by The Shift News, Published 14 April 2024
Title:
Clarification and Public Response to Misleading Article Concerning Doninu (Malta) International
1. Introduction
This document is issued in direct response to a series of claims and portrayals published by The Shift on 14 April 2024 concerning the voluntary and community-focused initiative Doninu (Malta) International. We categorically reject the misleading and unfair representation of our organisation, its members, and its operations.
2. Misleading Claims and Clarifications
A. Misrepresentation of Legal Status
The article falsely implies that Doninu is in breach of Maltese law by not registering with the Office of the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations (CVO). In reality, Doninu (Malta) International operates as a non-profit civil initiative that does not solicit monetary donations from the public, and therefore is not legally obligated to register under Chapter 492 of the Laws of Malta.
The CVO’s own guidance specifies that organisations which do not receive donations or public funds are not obliged to register. Doninu respects this framework. The repeated insinuation that Doninu is “unregistered” to avoid regulation is disingenuous and legally incorrect.
B. Allegations of Improper Fundraising
The article refers to an outdated and now-defunct donation page allegedly using religious imagery and referencing a “Bank Ċentrali Ġenna”. This was neither officially authorised by Doninu (Malta) International nor aligned with our current policies. We emphasize that Doninu does not collect financial donations and does not operate bank accounts for charitable fundraising.
The reference to donation requests via Revolut is false and unverified. Our public work consists of in-kind support such as distributing food , clothing, disability equipment, and providing social inclusion activities, none of which involve financial transactions with the public.
C. False Attribution of Founders
The article lists Pierre Calleja and Keith Schembri as “founders” of Doninu. This is factually incorrect.
- Doninu (Malta) International was founded and is currently led by Mr. Pierre Calleja, whose work is inspired by inclusive, non-political Christian ethics.
- Neither Mr. Schembri has any legal role in the organisation’s structure or statutes as adopted in 2023 till 2025. The founder and the leader is Mr. Pierre Calleja and Mr Conrad Pace is the Vice Leader
- Use of third-party sponsorships (e.g. Di Giorno) in some local initiatives does not make the sponsor a “founder” or director.
We firmly reject any attempt to link our civil humanitarian work to political figures under investigation. This association appears to be politically motivated and undermines the voluntary work carried out by our members, many of whom are disabled or work with vulnerable families.
3. On Use of Public Support and Partnerships
The article refers to partnerships or communications with local councils and ministries. Like many civil initiatives, Doninu has engaged with local authorities to request access to public spaces (such as halls or schools) for community events and social inclusion programs. (Like we do in San Gwann with ACIS a registered VO/0088)
These efforts are not financial or contractual in nature and fall within the bounds of freedom of association, which is protected under both the Maltese Constitution (Article 42) and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights (Article 12).
Publishing informal emails and posts about cooperation with ministries or councils as if they were scandalous is misleading and suppresses legitimate public participation.
4. Harm Caused by the Article
The Shift’s article has caused:
- Stigmatization of volunteers and beneficiaries, particularly persons with disabilities, the elderly, and families in need.
- Hostility from public institutions, including the blocking of Doninu from using public school halls despite no legal prohibition.
- Chilling effects on Public society, as other informal and unregistered initiatives are now afraid to collaborate with local councils due to fear of public shaming.
Such reporting undermines pluralism, civil participation, and social cohesion, particularly in a democracy where grassroots aid is essential.
5. Request for Correction and Accountability
We respectfully request The Shift to:
- Correct the misrepresentations in its article, particularly the false claims regarding founders, financial solicitation, and legal status.
- Clarify that Doninu (Malta) International does not collect public funds, nor is it legally required to register under Chapter 492.
- Recognise the harm caused to volunteers, many of whom are disabled, who now face hostility and exclusion based on public misinformation.
If these clarifications are not published, Doninu reserves the right to pursue action through:
- The Press Ethics Commission;
- International human rights and media ethics bodies, particularly when freedom of association and social inclusion are undermined.
6. Conclusion
Doninu (Malta) International will continue its work in good faith – helping vulnerable people in Malta without collecting money, engaging in political partisanship, or seeking personal gain. We stand firm against defamation and unfair institutional barriers, and we call for media accountability in matters that affect the lives of those we serve.
Issued by:
Doninu (Malta) International
When The Shift News article clearly had no impact — as everyone knows The Shift News is primarily there to cause harm — Jesmond Saliba attempted to continue his damage from behind the scenes. Among other actions, he allegedly sought to persuade other organisations and government entities not to support Doninu. All the while, he continued to breach legal and ethical standards.
Below is one of the many emails that the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations (CVO) sent to various entities. This is an internal memo issued by the Catholic Church’s Diaconia Commission, advising parish priests and clergy not to cooperate with Doninu. As you can clearly see, it directly states that the CVO informed them.
This action clearly demonstrates that the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations (CVO) is violating several key legal obligations, both under Maltese law and international human rights frameworks. As a public authority, the CVO is bound by:
Under Maltese Law:
- Article 38 of the Constitution of Malta – Protects the right to privacy and freedom of association. The CVO has no legal power to obstruct the independent operations of non-registered voluntary associations that are acting lawfully.
- Voluntary Organisations Act (Chapter 492 of the Laws of Malta) – The CVO’s regulatory powers are limited to enrolled organisations. Non-enrolled organisations like Doninu fall outside its jurisdiction, and interference may amount to administrative overreach or abuse of office.
- Public Administration Act (Chapter 497) – Public officers must act impartially and within the confines of their legal mandate. Intimidating other entities into non-cooperation constitutes maladministration and a breach of duties.
Under International and EU Law:
- Article 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) – Guarantees the right to freedom of assembly and association. Attempts to isolate or blacklist lawful groups infringe this fundamental right.
- EU Charter of Fundamental Rights (Article 12) – Ensures freedom of association at all levels, including grassroots organisations like Doninu, particularly when providing social assistance.
- United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) – Malta is a party to this Convention. Blocking assistance to persons with disabilities or their supporting organisations, without legal justification, violates the principles of inclusion, accessibility, and non-discrimination.
We have now also conducted serious independent research into why all of this is happening on the part of the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations (CVO), and we have found the reason.
It is now evident that certain media outlets and newspapers are actively protecting him. This includes shielding him from scrutiny and refraining from reporting fairly on issues where he may be involved, even when there is legitimate concern about abuse of power or misconduct.
This raises serious questions about transparency and media independence. It appears there are hidden interests at play, where networks of influence are being used to suppress the truth and discredit organisations like ours, who work openly and with integrity for the good of vulnerable people.
This situation damages not just our organisation, but the values of democracy, fairness, and rule of law in Malta.
Jesmond Saliba is the founder and managing director of Corporate Identities, an international corporate communications consultancy firm focusing on Malta and Italy. The company has engaged in partnerships aimed at enhancing the digital presence of NGOs and voluntary organizations, such as its collaboration with Ammado, a global online community connecting non-profits and socially responsible companies. Times of Malta
In addition to his role at Corporate Identities, Saliba has been involved in various sectors, including public service and the voluntary sector. He has served on the board of Dar tal-Providenza and is part of the management team of Fondazzjoni Sebħ. MaltaToday.com.mt+3The Malta Independent+3WhosWho+3MaltaToday.com.mt+6Times of Malta+6Times of Malta+6
As of August 2021, Jesmond Saliba was appointed as Malta’s Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations, a role in which he oversees the regulation and support of NGOs in Malta.
For more detailed information about Jesmond Saliba’s professional background and affiliations, you may refer to the official website of Corporate Identities: Corporate ID Group.Times of Malta
Jesmond Saliba serves as Malta’s Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations (CVO) and is also the founder and managing director of Corporate Identities, a corporate communications consultancy. This dual role raises questions about potential conflicts of interest, especially if Corporate Identities engages in partnerships with media outlets like Times of Malta.
Legal and Ethical Considerations
Under the Voluntary Organisations Act (Chapter 492 of the Laws of Malta), the Commissioner is prohibited from holding any position that could result in a conflict of interest or is incompatible with the appropriate performance of official duties. Specifically, Article 8(4) states:Legislationline+1MaltaCVS+1
“During his term as Commissioner, such person shall not hold any position which results in a conflict of interest or is incompatible with the appropriate performance of his official duties as Commissioner or with the impartiality expected from this office or with the public confidence therein.” Legislationline
This provision aims to ensure that the Commissioner’s actions remain impartial and maintain public confidence in the office.
Assessing Potential Conflicts
While Jesmond Saliba’s role at Corporate Identities is publicly known, However, such a partnership exists, it could raise concerns about impartiality and the potential for conflicts of interest, especially if Corporate Identities’ clients include voluntary organisations regulated by the Commissioner’s office.
Conclusion
If Jesmond Saliba continues to hold a managerial position at Corporate Identities while serving as Commissioner, and if Corporate Identities engages in partnerships that intersect with the voluntary sector, this could be perceived as a conflict of interest under Maltese law. To maintain transparency and public trust, it would be advisable for the Commissioner to disclose any such affiliations and recuse himself from decisions where a conflict might arise.
This documented collaboration between Corporate ID Group and the Times of Malta.
According to The Dispatch, a publication by Corporate Dispatch, The Corporate Times is a joint collaboration between the Times of Malta and Corporate ID Group. The Dispatch
This partnership indicates a formal relationship between Jesmond Saliba’s Corporate ID Group and the Times of Malta.
Below, we will list other media outlets that support our mission, and from the bottom of our hearts, we sincerely thank them for all they do — in contrast to those media platforms under the influence of the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations (CVO) Mr. Jesmond Saliba and his company Corporate ID
Our heartfelt thanks go to these media organisations who truly work in favour of vulnerable people.
