Brawner's heart attack was his first, son says

MANILA, Philippines - The son and namesake of the late poll commissioner Romeo Brawner on Thursday said the latter never complained of any heart ailment before the massive heart attack he suffered. "First time nangyari sa kanya. He has not been complaining of any heart ailment or kahit pain in the heart. First time ito nangyari (It was his first heart attack. He had not complained of any heart ailment in the past)," Lt. Col Romeo Brawner Jr, Army spokesperon, told radio dzBB. The young Brawner said his father had a massive coronary failure around 9:30 Thursday morning, contrary to initial information that the older Brawner died around 6 in the morning. Brawner Jr said their family is still grieving over the death of his father but he is sure that they will be able to cope with it. "OK naman po (kami). Of course nagi-grieve pa rin ngayon pero I'm sure we can all cope with the death of my father (We are OK. Of course we are still grieving but I'm sure we can all cope with the death of my father.)," the Army spokesperson said. He said they are just waiting for the funeral parlor which will prepare the body of his father and then they will bring his remains to the Commission on Elections office in Intramuros, Manila. Brawner Jr said the remains of poll commissioner will be brought to the Court of Appeals Friday afternoon or evening and then to Baguio City on Saturday. He said the interment is scheduled on Tuesday in Baguio City. Earlier in the day, Elections chairman Jose Melo said Brawner Sr had just returned from 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 Sr 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 Sr went to a hospital for a check up. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo appointed Brawner Sr to the Comelec on July 6, 2005. The late poll executive 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 Sr was plucked from the trial court and elevated to the Court of Appeals as associate justice. He was appointed presiding justice April 2005. Brawner Sr was born in Kiangan, Ifugao, on Sept. 17, 1935. - GMANews.TV