Llamas case 'a warning to all gov't workers'

MANILA, Philippines -  President Aquino’s admonition to Political Adviser Ronald Llamas should all serve as a warning to the 1.1 million government workforce that the administration will not tolerate any impropriety, including buying pirated digital video discs (DVDs), a Palace official said yesterday.

“What is pertinent here is that what is included in the memorandum of Executive Secretary (Paquito) Ochoa which reminds us all that we should observe a higher degree of circumspection and discretion,” Undersecretary Abigail Valte said.

In an interview over state-run radio station dzRB, the deputy presidential spokesperson said such improprieties are not limited to official acts alone, but extends “to our private non-official conduct.”

She denied reports, however, that Aquino did not sustain the recommendation of Ochoa – who headed the internal investigation – to have Llamas suspended.

Ochoa said Llamas’ conduct was inappropriate and improper, but noted that since he personally apologized to the President and that buying pirated DVDs is not a crime, the most logical sanction would be admonition.