Elections exec Brawner succumbs to heart attack

(Updated 10: 50 a.m.) MANILA, Philippines - Elections Commissioner Romeo Brawner passed away Thursday morning after suffering from massive heart attack, poll chairman Jose Melo said. Brawner was 72. In an interview on radio dzBB, Melo said that according to information relayed to him by Brawner's chief of staff, the poll commissioner died around 6 a.m. However, Brawner's son said his father had a massive coronary failure around 9:30 a.m. Melo said Brawner had just returned from a trip to Sri Lanka where he observed the conduct of elections there, and went to Baguio City to attend some events. "Akala ko kanina, ine-expect ko na nandito na. Kaninang umaga nagkaroon ng massive heart attack... Workaholic yan eh, masyadong masipag (I had expected him to report for work today. But this morning he suffered a massive heart attack. He was a workaholic, he was too hardworking)," Melo said in an interview on dzBB radio. He said Brawner had commented on being tired when he returned to the country, but still proceeded to attend some events in Baguio City. Upon returning to Manila three days ago, Brawner went to a hospital for a check up. Melo said he expected Brawner to report to work today as he was supposed to be discharged from the hospital Wednesday. "Ine-expect ko siya ngayon. Akala ko madi-discharge na siya kahapon (I was expecting him today because I thought he was scheduled to be discharged Wednesday)," Melo said. Citing initial information from Brawner's family, Melo said Brawner's remains were to be brought to the Comelec office in Manila then to the Court of Appeals Friday, then to Baguio City on Saturday. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo appointed Brawner to Comelec on July 6, 2005. Brawner started his career in the judiciary in 1973 as a city court judge in Baguio City. He later became a judge of the regional trial court. Prior to his stint as a judge, he served as a prosecutor for 11 years. He was also a professor of law at the Baguio Colleges Foundation from 1971 to 1995. On August 28, 1995, Brawner was plucked from the trial court and elevated to the Court of Appeals as associate justice. He was appointed presiding justice April 2005. Brawner was born in Kiangan, Ifugao, on Sept. 17, 1935. - GMANews.TV