Llamas is not untouchable — Lacierda

Malacañang on Thursday said presidential political adviser Ronald Llamas is not "untouchable" as it admitted that the controversy involving the official is “a distraction to governance.” Llamas, who was seen buying pirated DVDs reportedly worth P2,000 from a Quezon City mall, has yet to talk to President Benigno Aquino III regarding the controversy, and has yet to give his side on the matter. Asked if the incident caused embarrassment to the Aquino administration, presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said, “It is one of the distractions... It is a distraction right now. It’s a distraction to governance.” He also said that Llamas is not indispensable. “No one is indispensable. Hindi siya untouchable. None of us is untouchable.” Lacierda also said Llamas, a shooting buddy of the President, is expected to explain his side once he has met with Aquino. “We will leave the explanation to Secretary Llamas. I think he will be in a better position in, rather, the best position to explain the whole situation,” he said. Aquino, in an ambush interview Wednesday, said he would ask for an explanation from Llamas. He also said Llamas should be given due process. It was not the first controversy involving Llamas. In October last year, Llamas was criticized for possessing an AK-47 assault rifle, which was discovered after his car, driven by his two staff, figured in an accident. Llamas was in Switzerland that time. Llamas admitted ownership of the firearm, saying he has been receiving death threats. - Amita O. Legaspi/KBK, GMA News