Phone of Ronald Llamas still cannot be reached

MANILA, Philippines – Even the Malacanang communications team can’t get hold of Presidential Adviser for Political Affairs Ronald Llamas after getting embroiled anew in a controversy.

In an interview with radio dzRB, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said they have already tried to contact Llamas to get his side of the matter. “No, he did not [take the calls]. Ako, I coordinated with his staff because I could not personally reach him. But I coordinated with his staff…”

She also does not know if President Benigno Aquino III has already talked to Llamas. “Well, una, hindi pa naman po kasi namin din naitatanong sa Pangulong Aquino, dahil marami rin po kasing iniintindi ang Pangulo. And pangalawa, dahil nai-utos naman na po ‘yung  imbestigasyon, ‘yun na po ‘yung hinihintay din namin,” she said.

Llamas came under fire after Bandera Associate Editor Dona Policar released on Wednesday pictures of him buying P2,000 worth of pirated DVDs at the Circle C Mall along Congressional Avenue in Quezon City last Monday.

Some quarters are already calling for his resignation, saying he is not a good example to government officials.

The media have also tried to contact Llamas, to no avail.

“At para maitanong niyo na po lahat ng tinatanong niyo sa amin ni Secretary Lacierda na hindi naman po kami nasa posisyon para sagutin,” Valte said.

She said, however, that an investigation is already being done to check into the administrative liabilities of Llamas.

“Naiintindihan po natin na marami ngang sector ang nanawagan para doon sa resignation o sa pag-alis ni Secretary Llamas, dahil nga po doon sa nakaraang insidente doon sa DVD. Gumugulong na po ‘yung imbestigasyon at hintayin na lang po muna natin ‘yung magiging resulta,” she said.

She asked the public to just wait for the results of the investigation.

She said the President is also dealing with bigger problems. “Yung personal decision ni Secretary Llamas will pale in comparison to the other bigger problems that the President is dealing with,” she said.–ABS-CBN News