Aquino retains Llamas but will impose ‘sanctions’

President Benigno Aquino sharing light moments with his political adviser, Ronald Llamas, in this file photo in Malacañang. 

MANILA, Philippines—President Benigno Aquino said Wednesday he continued to have trust and confidence in his  political adviser, Ronald Llamas, even after the Inquirer and its sister publication Bandera reported that he was caught buying pirated DVDs in a Quezon City mall recently.

Nonetheless, the President indicated that unspecified sanctions will be taken against Llamas for his action, which has been widely perceived as undermining the government’s anti-piracy campaign.

“He still performs the role that he was brought into the Cabinet for,” Aquino told reporters.

Aquino said the Llamas’ offense was not related to his core functions “but… there are still sanctions that should be levied.”