Parliament yesterday paid tribute to former Nationalist MP and deputy speaker Philip Saliba who passed away last month.

He had always conducted his work with dignity and should serve as a model for others

Deputy Prime Minister Tonio Borg said that Dr Saliba had a long political career, during which he had voted in favour of Malta’s independence.

He had occupied several posts within the PN, as member of the PN executive, assistant treasurer and editor of the then PN newspaper Il-Poplu.

Dr Saliba had moved that Eddie Fenech Adami be co-opted to fill the seat in Parliament vacated through the death of MP George Caruana.

Dr Borg said that he never met people who had complained about Dr Saliba, who was a man of honour and never cheated on people. He was loyal to his country and to his party.

On behalf of the opposition, Anġlu Farrugia said that though Dr Saliba was elected from the Żebbuġ district, he spoke on national issues such as city gate and the constitution. He had always conducted his work with dignity and should serve as a model for others.

Speaker of the House Michael Frendo said Dr Saliba was soft-spoken but was not soft as evidenced by his maiden speech when he criticised the colonial government which was dragging its feet on constitutional changes. He had given a good service to Malta and therefore, it was just to commemorate him in the presence of his wife, children and grandchildren.