Malacañang mourns death of Comelec's Brawner

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang on Thursday mourned the death of Elections commissioner Romeo Brawner, who succumbed to massive heart attack earlier in the day. "The sudden demise of Commissioner Brawner comes at a time when (preparations for) the ARMM (Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) election are being conducted. His 40 years of service in government as judge and in the commission will surely be missed at this critical time," said Lorelei Fajardo, deputy presidential spokesperson. "We would like to express our profound condolences to the family of the late commissioner. The nation mourns his passing and owes him a debt of gratitude for his services. May his soul rest in peace," she added. The death of Brawner was first announced in a radio interview by Elections chair Jose Melo. Melo had said that information relayed to him by Brawner's staff indicated that the poll executive suffered a massive heart attack about 6 a.m. Brawner's son and namesake, however, said that his father died around 9:30 a.m. Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner Jr, who is also the spokesman for the Philippine Army, said it was the first time that his father suffered a heart attack. The young Brawner said the remains of his father wound be brought to the Comelec main office in Intramuros, Manila this afternoon and at the Court of Appeals on Friday. On Saturday, the same will be brought to Baguio City. The burial had been set for Wednesday, the young Brawner added. - GMANews.TV