Malacañang expressed its sympathies to the family of former Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr., who passed away on Tuesday.

“We condole with the family of Chair Brillantes and of course he served the nation well when he was chairman of the Comelec,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a televised briefing.

Brillantes’ death came weeks after he tested positive for COVID-19.

A longtime election lawyer, Brillantes served as Comelec chief from 2011 to 2015.

Among his prominent clients were former President Joseph Estrada, the late action king Fernando Poe Jr., and even Andal Ampatuan Sr. also taught law at the San Beda University, the alma mater of President Rodrigo Duterte. 

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

Brillantes was tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in July, according to his former staff Emil Marañon.

He also posted about the death of his former boss on Twitter./Stacy Ang