Aquino: Llamas stays but expect sanctions

President Benigno Aquino sharing light moments with his political adviser, Ronald Llamas, in this file photo in Malacañang. EDWIN BACASMAS/INQUIRER

It appears that Ronald Llamas remains secure in his job as President Benigno Aquino III’s adviser on political affairs even after he was photographed buying pirated DVDs at a Quezon City mall last week.

No less than Mr. Aquino said that Llamas continued to have his trust and confidence, adding that the latter’s perceived offense wasn’t related to his core functions in the administration.

“He still performs the role that he was brought into the Cabinet for. So, therefore, he does enjoy the trust,” the President said in an interview with reporters Wednesday.

Mr. Aquino confirmed that Llamas apologized to him on Friday in connection with the gaffe that would undermine the government’s antipiracy campaign.

The President, however, indicated that sanctions would still be forthcoming against his political adviser after a Malacañang panel shall have finished its probe of the purchase of bootlegged videos.

“It is not connected with his core function but, having said that, there are still sanctions that should be levied,” Mr. Aquino said.

He indicated that even with the issue of his buying pirated DVDs, Llamas continued to update him about “ongoing activities and operations.”

Asked whether Llamas apologized during their meeting on Friday, the President said, “That’s part of it.”

“And there were updates on so many things that I am not at liberty at this time to discuss. These are ongoing activities and operations,” Mr. Aquino said.

Not a crime

On the possible sanctions against Llamas, Mr. Aquino said the panel he had tasked with investigating Llamas’ purchase of DVDs would submit its recommendations on Friday. Under Philippine law, buying a pirated CD or DVD is not a crime, but selling is.

After keeping his peace on the matter for a week after he was photographed sifting through bootlegged discs, Llamas on Monday apologized to the administration “for any difficulty and unintended embarrassment.”

He promised to “exercise more care and prudence” henceforth.

Llamas said he had also apologized to the President “for the impropriety and lack of discretion as well as the unintended embarrassment this may have caused the administration.”

“I didn’t want the government to expend its energy over a regretful incident and so I submitted to the process that was launched and I am ready to face the findings and recommendations of the inquiry,” Llamas said.

Mr. Aquino earlier said he would ask Llamas what he was doing at the Quezon City mall when Inquirer Bandera editor Dona Policar took his picture while he appeared to be rummaging through pirated DVDs on January 23.

The President, however, said that the issue ranked low on his priorities, citing the enormity of recent crimes such as the bomb blast in Makati City and the killing of fishermen in Zamboanga province.

Originally posted at 01:32 pm | Wednesday, February 01,  2012