Llamas denies attempt to silence Archbishop Cruz

A Malacañang official on Thursday said the Aquino administration will never try to silence its critics.

 

In a press statement, Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs Ronald Llamas said the administration “welcomes criticisms from all sectors.”

 

Llamas flatly denied that (he) has any staff member named 'Zuniga' who reportedly tried to influence (retired) Archbishop Oscar Cruz to stop criticizing the administration.

 

Published reports quoted Cruz as telling reporters on Wednesday that a staff of Llamas approached former jueteng whistle-blower Sandra Cam on how to ‘silence’ him.

 

The retired archbishop has been a staunch critic of the Aquino administration particularly on government's failure to stop the illegal numbers game of jueteng and support on population control programs that the Catholic Church opposes.

 

Llamas said he has the highest respect for the archbishop and his advocacies which are pro-poor and believes that Cruz can never be influenced by anyone because of the latter’s strong convictions on issues of national interest.

 

“We will never try to influence them because constructive criticisms lie at the heart of our democracy and play an important part in rebuilding our nation,” he added. — Amita Legaspi/RSJ, GMA News