Aquino aide gets off hook with ‘admonition’ for DVD mess

A presidential adviser perceived close to President Benigno Aquino III got off the hook with an admonition, less than two weeks after he was caught buying pirated video discs in Quezon City. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the memo was served to presidential political affairs adviser Ronald Llamas late Friday. “While strictly speaking, the act attributed to you and which you have admitted is not a violation of the law the impropriety of the action is without question. It is not an act expected from a public official,” she said on government-run dzRB radio, quoting parts of the memo. “(T)aking into account your expression of ‘deep regret’ and your tender of an apology, you are hereby formally admonished...  and given a firm reminder that should in the future observe higher degree of circumspection and discretion even in (your) non-official conduct,” she added. Llamas was also “advised” to “act at all times” with a high sense of propriety to prevent the possibility of his personal conduct leading to a loss of public trust in the administration. Valte said Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. signed the memo on authority of President Aquino. On Jan. 25, the Philippine Daily Inquirer published a photo of Llamas buying what appeared to be pirated DVDs at a mall in Quezon City. But Llamas has kept himself scarce from media, although Aquino confirmed they had met, and Llamas apologized for his action. Llamas is perceived to be close to Aquino because the two share a fondness for guns. Last year, a high-powered firearm was found in Llamas’ SUV when the vehicle figured in a road accident in Quezon City. Llamas was abroad at the time. Admonition enough? Valte insisted the admonition was enough, adding there is no need anymore to invite Inquirer/Bandera editor Donalea Policar to shed light on the incident. “Tingin natin sapat na 'yan tulad ng sinabi sa kanyang explanation. Inamin niya ... so hindi na siya [nag-deny] na nangyari ang insidente," Valte said. Asked if there is a need for Policar to testify, she said, “hindi na kailangan ang pagtawag ng testigo (there is no more need to call in a witness).” — LBG/ELR, GMA News