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3 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 19 OCTOBER 2022 NEWS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Arrigo was married to Marina Arrigo and had two sons. Soon after his death was an- nounced, tributes started to flow. PN leader Bernard Grech thanked Robert for the sacrifices he did for the Nationalist Party. "We lost one of our own... you will be remembered for the ben- eficial work you did, the loyalty you showed the party and most of all for the love you had for this country," Grech said, imparting his condolences to Arrigo's wife and children. Former PN leader Adrian Delia also paid tribute to Arrigo, who was elected deputy leader under his helm. "I don't have words to speak. I don't have enough strength to shout. A gentle giant of a man has left us. A charis- matic benefactor who couldn't live a minute of his blessed life without helping those in need, is with us no more. The world is a poorer place." Prime Minister Robert Abela saluted the memory of Arrigo, describing him as a gentleman who had given a large contribu- tion to society, in its sporting, social and political dimensions. "Undoubtedly, the House will suffer his loss. My condolences to his family." President George Vella said he was "saddened by the news" of Arrigo's death. "To his relatives and loved ones, sincere condo- lences," Vella said. PN deputy leader Alex Perici Calascione described his long- held friendship with Arrigo as "a sincere, frank and deep friend- ship" that he shall cherish always. "Finally at peace Rob, free from pain. Thank you, for everything," Calascione said, offering his con- dolences to the family. European Parliament Presi- dent Roberta Metsola also paid tribute to "a friend and col- league". "He was a man who always believed in me from day one. I always found him there [for support]... from even be- fore I entered politics he always encouraged me, as he did many others," Metsola said. She reminisced on her first electoral foray in the 2004 Euro- pean Parliament election when she was only 25 years old and found Arrigo accompanying her in door to door visits in Sliema, Gżira, Msida and other localities in his district. "Street after street, with a smile and joke, always showing optimism... from Rob- ert I always learnt that you must never give up. Even when things appear difficult, there is always a solution," she said. The Malta Football Association said it was "deeply saddened" by the news of Arrigo's demise. The MFA recalled Arrigo's successes at the helm of Sliema Wanderers between 1996 and 2008 during which the club won 15 honours, including four Pre- mier League titles and two FA Trophy wins. "We are all deeply saddened by the news that Robert Arrigo has passed away. This is anoth- er sad loss for the Maltese foot- ball family. Robert, was a true football man!," MFA President Bjorn Vassallo said, offering the association's condolences to the family. KURT SANSONE A casual election will have to be held on the 10th Dis- trict to fill the seat vacated by the death of Nationalist Party MP Robert Arrigo. The PN has three candi- dates who were not elected – St Julian's Mayor Albert Buttigieg, former MP Karl Gouder and newcomer Emma Portelli Bonnici. Arrigo's baton could easily go to the St Julian's mayor, who was the last PN candidate to be elim- inated from the electoral race, although everything depends on how votes are transferred. Buttigieg was involved in a tiff with the party's leadership earlier this year when he claimed that his electoral bid was obstruct- ed internally at the whims of a "fat cat" with business interests in St Julian's. Buttigieg never men- tioned the names of either the PN official or the 'fat cat' with an internal party ethics probe concluding that the party should offer potential whistleblowers greater protection to en- courage them to substan- tiate their claims. It had also recommended the in- troduction of a revolving doors policy for its offi- cials after former Bernard Grech aid, Ray Bezzina, joined the DB Group just after stepping down from his party role. Bezzina had himself asked for the ethics probe follow- ing Buttigieg's claims since many understood that the PN official who conspired with the 'fat cat' was a ref- erence to him. Bezzina had denied the claims. In last March's general election, Arrigo was elect- ed from the 9th and 10th districts. He gave up the 9th District seat in line with the PN's internal pol- icy regulating dual candi- dacy MPs. He retained the seat on the Sliema district where he scored more first count votes. Arrigo died on Tuesday morning with many paying tribute to a man who was not only an MP but also a successful tourism sector entrepreneur and strong- ly involved in the Sliema community. This is the second time within the space of five years that a parliamentary seat was vacated as a result of death. In October 2017, PN MP Frederick Azzo- pardi had passed away at the age of 71, necessitating a casual election in Gozo. PARLIAMENT observed a minute's silence in memory of Robert Arrigo on Tuesday. Nationalist Party MP and former deputy leader Robert Arrigo died at the age of 67, early on Tuesday morning, with the announcement being made by the PN's media. Arrigo, an entrepreneur in the tourism sector, had been battling cancer over the past few months. De- spite his illness, Arrigo kept in touch with his electorate and his never-say- die attitude was evidenced in one of his last Facebook posts advertising a December buffet dinner he was or- ganising in aid of Puttinu Cares. Expressing his condolences, Prime Minister Robert Abela described Arrigo as a "gentleman" who always showed respect. "It's not easy to speak about Robert Arrigo, he was a personal friend to me. Today Malta lost a gentleman," Abela told the House. Abela said Arrigo was always sen- sitive to social issues, going the extra mile to help people. "He would en- sure that the less privileged in society get the help they need." The PM recalled pandemic times, saying Robert Arrigo's advice was would always be in the interest of the common good. "His advice would never be politically motivated." Arrigo, a tourism sector entrepre- neur, had planned to hold an event celebrating 50 years in the tourism sector next December. "He wanted me to be there, and he wanted me to speak," he said. "De- spite everything, he still had that goal in mind." Opposition leader Bernard Grech also described Arrigo as a "gentle- man who was loyal to the party and the electorate." "I got to know Arrigo in the months running up to the PN leadership election, and despite being a gentle- man, in the number of conversations we held, he never minced his words and spoke his mind," he said. "He was a person who has served for a number of years in politics. He served the people of Sliema in the lo- cal council, football and the country in parliament," he said. "That is what a politician should be, someone who is direct contact with the people." Grech also spoke about the event Arrigo was planning to organise for his 50th anniversary in the tourism sector. "Despite being diagnosed with a terminal illness, he was still determined to make it." Speaker of the House Anglu Farru- gia recalled his personal relationship with Arrigo, also describing him as a gentleman. "He rose above partisan politics and always did his utmost to be a positive person." "When he was sick, he still called me to ask about my dear daughter," Farrugia said. Abela, Grech and Farrugia also expressed their condolences to MP David Agius's father, who also died earlier today. After the tributes Tuesday's parlia- mentary session was adjourned. Arrigo's death creates parliamentary seat vacancy on 10th District Parliament pays tribute to Arrigo: 'We lost a gentleman' 'A gentle giant of a man has left us'