Sixto Brillantes facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sixto Brillantes
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Brillantes in 2014
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| Chairman of the Commission on Elections | |
| In office January 16, 2011 – February 2, 2015 |
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| Appointed by | Benigno Aquino III |
| Preceded by | Jose Melo |
| Succeeded by | Christian Robert Lim (OIC) Andres D. Bautista |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Sixto Serrano Brillantes Jr.
August 14, 1939 Santa, Ilocos Sur, Philippine Commonwealth |
| Died | August 11, 2020 (aged 80) Manila, Philippines |
| Cause of death | COVID-19 |
| Nationality | Filipino |
| Spouse | Francisca Verde-Brillantes |
| Children | 3 |
| Alma mater | San Beda University |
Sixto Serrano Brillantes Jr. (born August 14, 1939 – died August 11, 2020) was a Filipino lawyer. He was known for his work in election law. From 2011 to 2015, he served as the chairman of the Commission on Elections, also known as COMELEC. President Benigno Aquino III chose him for this important role on January 16, 2011.
Early Life and Education
Sixto Brillantes Jr. was born in Santa, Ilocos Sur on August 14, 1939. His father, Sixto P. Brillantes Sr., was a former Governor and assemblyman of Ilocos Sur. His mother was Azucena Serrano. He had four brothers and sisters. One of his siblings was Jose Brillantes, who became a Labor Secretary and an Ambassador to Canada.
Sixto Jr. went to Saint Theresa's College and Ateneo de Manila University for his early schooling. He then attended San Beda College for high school and college. In 1960, he earned a degree in Commerce. In 1965, he completed his law degree.
While studying law, Brillantes was very active. He was the president of the San Beda College of Law Supreme Law Council. He also served as the editor-in-chief of the San Beda College of Law Journal. He passed the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exams in 1960. Later, he placed seventh in the 1965 bar examinations, which lawyers take to practice law.
Professional Journey
In 1966, Brillantes began his career as a legal researcher at the Court of Appeals. From 1967 to 1972, he worked as a junior partner at the Brillantes Law Office. He then became a legal officer for Northern Cement Corporation for ten years.
From 1983 to 1986, he worked in different places. This included being a legal consultant for the Ministry of Labor. He also held roles as a director, company secretary, and legal advisor for various companies. He started working as a senior partner in law firms in 1983. However, he began to focus mainly on election law in 1985.
From 2001 to 2006, he was the main lawyer for the Nationalist People's Coalition. This is a political party in the Philippines. He also advised the United Opposition from 2007 to 2009. He helped in the election campaigns of several important politicians. These included Joseph Estrada in 1998 and Benigno Aquino III in 2010.
Brillantes was also a college professor. He taught law at San Beda, Arellano Law Foundation, and Perpetual Help College. He also taught accounting at the Philippine School of Business Administration and St. Theresa's College.
Leading COMELEC
On January 16, 2011, President Aquino appointed Brillantes as the chairman of the COMELEC. The COMELEC is the government body that handles elections in the Philippines. After his appointment, he stopped working as an election lawyer. He said he was known for "chasing the cheaters" in elections.
Some people worried that he might not be fair as COMELEC chief. This was because he had worked for many well-known politicians before. However, the Commission on Appointments approved his appointment in October 2011. Brillantes was in charge when the 2013 midterm elections took place.
Personal Life and Legacy
Sixto Brillantes married Francisca Verde-Brillantes, a nutritionist, in 1970. They had three children together.
He received several awards from San Beda College. In 2000, he was named one of the "Bedans of the Century." In 2009, he was recognized as an "Outstanding Bedan Lawyer." In 2010, he was inducted into the San Beda College Alumni Association Hall of Fame.
On July 25, 2020, it was announced that Brillantes had tested positive for COVID-19. He had been in the hospital since July 18. He passed away on August 11, 2020, just three days before his 81st birthday.
