Former elections official Virgilio Garcillano gestures during a hearing at the Philippines Congress in Manila, Dec. 7, 2005 on allegations that he connived with Philippine President Gloria Arroyo to cheat her way to victory in the May 2004 elections. Joel Nito, AFP 

MANILA — Former Commission on Elections (Comelec) commissioner Virgilio Garcillano passed away over the weekend, the poll body confirmed on Monday.  

Comelec Chairman George Garcia extended condolences to Garcillano's family. 

"Hindi naman po maitatanggi ng bawat isa na nakapaglingkod siya sa amin, hindi lang bilang isang commissioner, kundi bilang isang regional director, isang provincial election supervisor at bilang isang officer din ng Comelec," Garcia said.

"Sa napakahabang panahon, napaglingkuran naman po niya ang sambayanan kaya po ganoon na lamang din ang ibinibigay naming paggalang at pagkilala sa kanya. At sa kayang pagyao ngayon, again, ang aming pakikiramay sa pamilya ni Commissioner Garcillano," he added.

Garcillano was the Comelec official in conversation with former President Gloria Arroyo in what would become the "Hello Garci" scandal in 2005.

Arroyo opens up about 'Hello Garci:' I won elections fair and square

In the wiretapped 2004 phone call that leaked the following year, Arroyo was heard discussing with Garcillano the 2004 elections. 

20 years after 'Hello Garci,' Grace Poe bewails 'lack of accountability'

Arroyo 15 years later admitted making the controversial phone call to Garcillano.

More details to follow.

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