Llamas apologizes for fake DVDs

MANILA, Philippines – Presidential political adviser Ronald Llamas on Monday, January 30, apologized to the Aquino government for “any difficulty and unintended embarassment” that was caused by his purchase of pirated DVDs in a Quezon City mall last week.

In a statement released by his office, Llamas said that Llamas has already apologized to the President “for the impropriety and lack of discretion as well as the unitended embarassment this may have caused the administration.”

The statement added: “It was also reported that Llamas promised to exercise more care and prudence in his actions in the future.”

Llamas has submitted to Ochoa  his written explanation on the incident, after he was given five days from January 27 to explain in writing why he should not be subjected to administrative disciplinary proceedings.

Llamas, who has been criticized for not coming out earlier to speak out, explained that he decided to remain silent in view of the Palace inquiry.
“It was the most prudent thing to do in light of the inquiry that the Executive Secretary has launched,” he said.

Upon orders from President Aquino, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa issued a memo to Llamas dated January 27, directing him to “explain in writing within five days from receipt hereof why no administrative disciplinary proceedings should be taken against you.”

Asked by reporters how the President reacted to the published photo last week, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said: “I have not seen the President… So personally, I cannot give you his reaction. Short to say that the President was concerned that’s why an investigation was [initiated].”

On January 25, Mr. Aquino said he would subject Llamas to the usual process so that he could explain his side regarding his purchase of P2,000 worth of DVDs at the Circle C mall along Congressional Avenue on the night of January 23, which was witnessed by Bandera associate editor Dona Policar and published by the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Bandera and Inquirer belong to one media group).

This sparked criticism from various sectors.

Only last year, Llamas’s Montero vehicle was found by police to be carrying high-powered firearms, such as an AK-47, when his driver met an accident. Llamas was abroad at the time. – Rappler.com