Former Comelec chair Sixto Brillantes dies of COVID-19

Former Commission on Elections chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr passed away Tuesday morning due to COVID-19, Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said.

“This is to confirm the passing of former Chairperson Sixto S. Brillantes Jr., today at a little past 11a.m.,” Jimenez said in a message to reporters.

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Jimenez said Comelec would issue an official statement letter.

Brillantes’ former staff Emil Marañon said the ex-Comelec chairman tested positive for COVID-19 on July.

“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!” said Marañon.

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Sixto Serrano Brillantes was the chairman of the Philippine Commission on Elections. He was appointed by Philippine President Benigno Aquino III on January 16, 2011, to serve the unexpired term of Chairman Jose Melo.

Brillantes died days after former Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim died also due to COVID-19.

Malacañang expressed its condolences to the Lim family. “We express our deep condolences to the family, loved ones, friends and supporters of former Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim who passed away today, August 8, at the age of 90,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement.

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“The nation, particularly the City of Manila, remembers Mayor Lim for his tough stance against criminality and drugs. He left a legacy of law and order to his constituents,” Roque added.

Among prominent politicians and personalities who died during the COVID-19 crisis are former DENR Secretary Gina Lopez, San Miguel CEO Danding Cojuangco, Camarines Sur First District Representative Marissa Andaya, former DFA Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr., Filipino director Peque Gallaga, and veteran and “oldest active actress” in Philippine cinema Anita Linda.

Also read: Duterte hopes for a COVID-free Christmas

The Philippines recorded Monday, August 10, its record high single-day number of new cases of 6,958, bringing the total to 136, 638. The recoveries meanwhile are at 68,159, while 2,293 already died from the disease.

Meanwhile, University of the Philippines (UP) experts urged the government to place Metro Manila under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) for a month to slow the transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Dr. Ranjit Rye, a member of the UP-OCTA Research team, recommended the measure amid the high positivity and critical care utilization rates in Metro Manila.