Former Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. passed away on Tuesday, the poll body’s spokesman James Jimenez said.
“This is to confirm the passing of former Chairperson Sixto S. Brillantes Jr., today at a little past 11AM,” he said in a statement.
In a radio interview, Jimenez said Brillantes had been suffering from COVID-19.
“While we don’t have the exact cause of death yet, we can safely assume that its COVID-related,” he said.
Lawyer Emil Marañon also posted about the death of Brillantes in his Twitter account.
“My boss and former Comelec Chair Sixto S. Brillantes Jr. passed away at 11:08 am today. What a great honor to serve the country by your side. Maraming salamat!” he said.
Last July 26, Marañon, Brillantes’ former chief of staff at the poll body, revealed that former poll chief has been diagnosed with COVID-19.
Brillantes’ daughter, Zeena, at that time also asked for prayers for his 80-year old father.
“Someone recently told me that prayers are better when they are specific. Please include our dad, Sixto Brillantes Jr., in your prayers. Please,” she said in a Facebook post.
A known election lawyer, Brillantes served as head of the Comelec from January 2011 to February 2015.
He was appointed as Comelec chairman by then President Benigno Aquino III. (Leslie Ann Aquino)
