Commission on Elections Chairman Sixto Brillantes. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Commission on Elections Chairman Sixto Brillantes is flying to the United States on Sunday and he joked that he “might not return.”
Speaking at the Comelec Christmas party on Friday, Brillantes said he had been invited by the group, International Foundation for Election System, to study the electoral system of the United States.
He said he would also see his three daughters who have been trying to convince him to retire. He will be in the US until January 8.
“I will be leaving (Sunday) morning… I might not return,” Brillantes told reporters.
He said his daughters, one of whom is based in London and one in Connecticut, were opposed to him working at the Comelec. Brillantes said he expected them to again urge him to retire.
“We haven’t had a reunion in the last 10 years,” he said.
Brillantes said he would try to convince his children to let him continue working at the Comelec because he still had many plans for the election body.
“I wasn’t able to do what I wanted in 2011 because I was not yet confirmed (by the Commission on Appointments). And I’m not used to having no work,” Brillantes said.
Election Commissioner Rene Sarmiento will be acting chair while Brillantes is away.