Llamas ready to resign only if PNoy asks him to

Presidential political adviser Ronald Llamas on Tuesday expressed readiness to resign from his post if President Benigno Aquino III will ask him to. “If the President will ask for my resignation, I’m ready to resign," Llamas said in a text message to reporters. This, even as Malacañang defended Llamas anew for the controversy involving his ownership of five firearms, including the AK-47 that was found in his car when it figured in an accident last week. At a press briefing, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said criticisms against Llamas were all part of propaganda. Lacierda particularly zeroed in on Raul Lambino, the legal spokesman of former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who said that the Aquino administration observed “double standard" in handling Llamas’ case. “Lambino mentioned that there should be no double standard in government. He is a lawyer and the first thing he could have easily identified is what would have been the crime charge against Secretary Llamas. He didn’t go to any specifics because he realized that there’s no crime to be charged against Secretary Llamas," he said. Llamas, who said there are threats to his life, faced the media on Monday and admitted owning five firearms. The AK-47 was discovered after his vehicle figured in an accident last week while it was being driven by two of his staff members. At the time, Llamas was in Geneva, Switzerland. Lacierda said Llamas could not be held liable for something that happened when he was abroad. “There were clear instructions for the two individuals to leave it (car) at home. They failed to do it and so what crime can you charge someone who was not here when the incident happened?" he said. Llamas had already ordered the dismissal of the two involved staff. Lacierda said Llamas should be accorded some measure of protection due to credible threats to his life. “In a position where you are required to speak to a lot of personalities—both friend or foe—you don’t know who you are up against. So there is a measure and it was proven that there were credible threats against Secretary Llamas," he said. Lacierda said unlike Llamas, he and Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office head Ricky Carandang do not need any security. He said he has not discussed the Llamas’ issue with Aquino. — KBK, GMA News