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Ex-Comelec chairman Melo dies, 88

Philippines | National

Ex-Comelec chairman Melo dies, 88

By Leslie Ann Aquino

Former Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Jose Melo passed away on Sunday at the age of 88.

(MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez announced the news on Melo's passing in his Twitter account.

"Sad news tonight. Just received word that Chairman Jose A.R. Melo, former SC Justice, and the Comelec Chairman who oversaw the country’s transition to full automation from 2008 to 2010, has passed away. He was 88 years old," he said.

Melo served as poll chief from 2008 to 2011.

He was succeeded by Sixto Brillantes who died last August.

The Nagkaisa labor coalition, meantime, expressed sadness over the death of Melo.

"Nagkaisa remembers him with fondness when he said that: 'The individual citizen is but a speck of particle against the vast and overwhelming power of government and his only guarantee against oppression and tyranny are his fundamental liberties under the Bill of Rights which shield him in time of need,'" the group said in a statement.

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