Former Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano has passed away, COMELEC Chairman George Garcia confirmed.
Garcillano died at his home in Bukidnon on the night of March 29. The COMELEC has extended its condolences to his family.
Garcillano served as a commissioner during the administration of then-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. He was implicated in the controversial Hello Garci scandal, which involved alleged wiretapped conversations about vote rigging in the 2004 elections. The recordings featured a woman, believed to be Arroyo, speaking with a man presumed to be Garcillano.
Arroyo later admitted to calling a COMELEC official during the canvassing period and apologized for what she described as a “lapse in judgment.” Garcillano also admitted to speaking with Arroyo but denied any involvement in election fraud.
In 2007, Garcillano ran for congressman in Bukidnon but was unsuccessful.
