Palace mum on PNoy phone hack

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang made no comment on reports that President Aquino’s cellular phone had been hacked by a group of activists, saying it did not want to dignify such cyber attacks.

“We don’t want to dignify that particular allegation with a comment,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said.

“In all honesty, we don’t want to have anything to do with that issue anymore... In our judgment, and at least as far as the President is concerned, we don’t want to dignify those alleged numbers with a response,” she said.

It was reported over the weekend that a hacker, claiming to be a member of “Anonymous Philippines,” posted online Aquino’s three purported mobile phone numbers.

Valte explained that Aquino’s unbridled accessibility could be traced back to the time he was a three-term congressman from Tarlac, and through his three years in the Senate till 2010.

“Reporters who covered the President from the time he was a Tarlac congressman know that. He remains to be very accessible, and it’s not that hard to reach and talk to him. So, again, until that time, the accessibility to the President continues,” she said.

Aquino, known to be a tightwad, is still using a first generation iPhone issued in 2007. He told The STAR weeks ago that he would soon upgrade to an iPhone 5.

From the time Aquino assumed office, Presidential Security Group chief Gen. Mateo Dizon has been egging Aquino to replace his old unit and number due to the sensitivity of the position he is now in.

Aquino, however, refused. He pointed out that his old friends would be disassociated, insisting that this was his only way to get the sentiments of people on how he is running the government.

Carandang has downplayed the reported hacking of Aquino’s phone.

“It’s cybervandalism, plain and simple,” he said. “We are dealing with it. That’s all I can say for now.”