Pirate in the Palace
PIRATE in the Palace Ronald Llamas is riding rough seas. By now, everybody knows that he was spotted by a reporter buying pirated digital video discs (DVDS) worth P2,000 at a Circle Mall stall in Quezon City.
What were you thinking, shopper? Had President Benigno Aquino 3rd known that you would do such a stupendous deed, he might have customized shirts for you emblazoned with your position as Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs. In neon colors. Then the Chief Executive would have required you to wear them whenever you are in public.
But the deed has been done. And I think that it is just amazing that Llamas—at his age and con- sidering his stature in the government—has just learned that regret always comes last. Forgive me sir, but I couldn’t help but liken you to a chicken that voluntarily lays its head on the chopping block.
Llamas has apologized for the incident. In a letter, he stressed that he “wanted to show his respect for President Aquino.” And that he “didn’t want the govern- ment to expend its energy over the regretful incident.” Bravo, Mr. Adviser. Sad to say, theatrics and dramatics won’t get you anywhere, sir. Not even that overused line of government officials, “I am sorry.”
With all due respect, Sir Llamas, how could you gain even a grain of sympathy if you refuse to resign, or take a leave, while your bosses are deliberating on what to do with you?
Tsk, tsk, tsk. Palace spokesman Edwin Lacierda has even come up with an interesting tag for you, sir. He called you a “distraction to governance.” Ouch.
The Malacañang spokesman has politely berated Llamas by saying that public officials are supposed to be role models and should behave in whatever drive the government has launched. One of them is the drive against intellectual piracy. Double ouch. Now for the wisecracks. Mediamen are having a field day speculating what kind of DVDS Llamas was seen buying. Why did he have to buy discs worth P2,000? Why did he have to personally buy the discs when he could have asked an aide to purchase these for him?
Smart alecks believe that Mr. Llamas wasn’t buying romantic or comic flicks. Well, then, what exactly were the goods that are now burying him in sh…ame?
Your dirty guess is as good as mine.