Malacañang offered its condolences to the family of former Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr., who passed away on Tuesday at the age of 80.

“He served the nation well when he was chairman of the Comelec. Our condolences po,” Palace spokesman Harry Roque said in a virtual presser.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez announced Brillantes’ death on Twitter. Brillantes’ demise came three days before his 81st birthday.

Brillantes had been intubated when he was announced to have contracted Covid-19 last July.

Brillantes was Comelec chairman from January 2011 to February 2015. He was the son of former Ilocos Sur governor and Comelec commissioner Sixto Brillantes Sr.

San Beda University, Brillantes’ alma mater, named him one of the Bedans of the Century in 2000. He was inducted to the San Beda College Alumni Association Hall of Fame in 2010. John Ezekiel J. Hirro