Former Comelec commissioner Virgilio Garcillano passes away at 87

Speaking with the media, Garcia said they were saddened by the ex-poll executive's death and offered condolences to his family.

"[Hindi] naman po matatanggi ng bawa't isa na nakapag-lingkod siya sa amin, hindi lang bilang isang commissioner kundi bilang isang regional director, bilang isang provincial election supervisor, at bilang isang election officer din ng Comelec," he said.

"Sa napakahabang panahon ay napag-lingkuran naman po niya ang sambayanan kaya ganun na lamang din ang binibigay namin paggalang at pagkilala sa kanya," Garcia added.

Garcillano served as the Comelec commissioner during the administration of former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

His reputation was tainted when he became involved in the "Hello Garci" scandal in 2005, where Arroyo was accused of rigging the 2004 national election in her favor.

In a wiretapped phone call that was leaked to the public, Arroyo and Garcillano were presumably discussing the manipulation of the votes as the ex-president ran against actor Fernando Poe Jr.

Arroyo later admitted that it was indeed her voice that could be heard in the recording but denied allegations that she was trying to manipulate the election.

"The election canvassing process was unnecessarily slow even after the election results were already in and the votes had been counted. I was anxious to protect my votes and during that time had conversations with many people, including a Comelec official. My intent was not to influence the outcome of the election, and it did not," she explained.

While Garcillano kept a low profile after the incident, he resurfaced to run for congressman of Bukidnon in Northern Mindanao in the 2007 elections. However, he failed to secure a seat.

Details of his funeral have yet to be announced.