Minister ‘very uncomfortable’ with Facebook comment

Civil Liberties Minister Helena Dalli said she is “very uncomfortable” with the “brains, boobs and balls” comment made by the head of the Employment and Training Corporation towards a female subordinate. Speaking to the Times of Malta, Dr Dalli shook her head in disapproval at the comment, saying it was “not good at all”. Dr Dalli was reacting to a Facebook comment by ETC chief executive Philip Rizzo beneath a swimsuit photo of newly appointed department head Olivia Farrugia. In what appears to have been an ill-conceived compliment, Mr Rizzo wrote: “This is the only ETC Head of Division with the three Bs… Brains, Boobs and Balls! She’s a very capable lady.” The Facebook post won him no applause from the minister, who said such comments were “certainly out of place for a person occupying such a position”. Asked if she would have felt comfortable working with someone who addressed her in such a way she said: “Not just me, it could be any woman. No, I feel very uncomfortable.”