Virgilio Garcillano
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Erwin Garcia said he was 鈥渟addened鈥� by the death of the former Comelec Commissioner Virgilo Garcillano.
Garcillano was 87.
鈥淭he Comelec is saddened and is sending our condolences to the loved ones of former commissioner Virgilo Garcillano,鈥� Garcia said in an interview in Laguna.
鈥淗e served the country for the longest time, which is why we honor and recognize him,鈥� he added.
READ: Ex-poll exec Virgilio Garcillano; 87
Garcillano was appointed as Comelec commissioner by then-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2004.
Before this, Garcillano was a career official. He served as regional director, provincial election supervisor, and an election officer, Garcia said.
However, Garcillano was embroiled in the 鈥淗ello Garci鈥� scandal in 2005. Arroyo reportedly called him so he could allegedly help influence the outcome of the 2004 presidential election in which she ran against popular movie icon Fernando Poe Jr.
Poe lost in the presidential race.
Garcillano largely disappeared from public view following the Hello Garci scandal.
He went on a solitary life in Baungon following the Hello Garci controversy, according to Imbatug Barangay Councilor Marlo Ligan.