Prime Minister Robert Abela, Opposition Leader Bernard Grech and Speaker of the House Anglu Farrugia saluted the memory of PN MP Robert Arrigo in Parliament on Tuesday evening.

Arrigo lost the battle with cancer earlier in the day.

The common sentiment felt was that Malta had lost a gentleman who was constantly concerned with the welfare of the people.  

Abela said that "even throughout the summer months, at the height of his chemotherapy, Arrigo would constantly talk to me about people who were in need of social support, many a time these were not even people who voted for him or his party. That is a testament to the man he was."

"He deserves the highest praise. He was always there, even when I needed advice. He never let politics influence his advice and I treasured his words greatly," Abela said.

Referencing the Puttinu Cares activities which Arrigo was planning for December, Abela said that this was another example of the determination he had to help others, even when he was battling his own hardships.

Grech built on the words of Abela, stating that from the moment he met Arrigo a couple of weeks after he was elected leader of the opposition, "I appreciated the way that he said things. He didn't beat around the bush and always said what had to be said."

"Although Robert (Arrigo) was given a harsh sentence, that of terminal cancer, he still remained loyal to his work and was constantly worrying about how he could better help people, both financially and also policy wise," Grech said.

Grech recalled a recent meeting with Arrigo which occurred less than a week before his untimely death, where Grech was told by Arrigo that "there still is a lot left to do."

Farrugia reminisced about his childhood memories with Arrigo as he teared up while commemorating his close friend and colleague.

"Robert (Arrigo) called me during my toughest times and he also called me last summer while he was battling cancer to see how I was and how my family was doing. Malta lost a great man that was loved by everyone. This was Robert Arrigo."

A minute of silence was held in honour of Arrigo.

The House also commemorated the memory of the father of PN MP David Agius who lost his father moments before Parliament was set to begin.

The memory of ex PN MP Frederick Azzopardi who lost his life a day and two years ago was also remembered.

Parliament was immediately adjourned to Wednesday and no committee sittings were held.