Source: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/17567868/error-if-else-begins-with-a-
new-php-block

I don't see this as an issue, though. If anything it's a good safeguard against 
even worse PHP code. I would fully expect to read this that the first if block is 
completed, and that the second is treated as new code entirely.

The only special context that should be retained between these open/close braces 
are those that hold an active meaning - for example the contents of an if block 
(anything within }).

Thank you for taking the time to write to us, but this is not
a bug. Please double-check the documentation available at
http://www.php.net/manual/ and the instructions on how to report
a bug at http://bugs.php.net/how-to-report.php

Please read about the syntax you trying to use here 
http://php.net/manual/en/control-structures.alternative-syntax.php .