Akbayan head named Noy adviser

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino has appointed Akbayan president Ronald Llamas as presidential adviser on political affairs instead of a member of the Liberal Party (LP).

Aquino justified his choice of Llamas, saying he had been a long-time ally and “could serve as bridge to both the formal political parties and marginalized sectors.”

The President earlier named Llamas as member of the board of directors of the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP).

“He needs to step down from DBP. He belongs to Akbayan which is a major coalition partner,” Aquino said.

According to the President, there are LP members who are as qualified but they have other assignments and being a political adviser would add to their workload.

“Mr. Llamas can devote full attention to this function, enabling the others to concentrate on their core functions,” Aquino said.

The presidential adviser on political affairs serves as a strategist and coordinates with political parties on the various policies and programs of the administration.

Llamas, for his part, said he would “seriously pursue reforms and political projects of the President in order to change the system of corruption and poverty in the country.”

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said Llamas could fill the need for a singular political affairs adviser to the President who could render service on a regular basis.

“Akbayan is an ally of the President, having supported the Liberal Party in the 2010 elections… As you know, there is no singular political adviser and there is a need for one to advise the President and who will represent President Aquino in some matters in that specific area,” Valte said.

Akbayan is a coalition partner of the LP, and Llamas is a key adviser of the President as well as LP president and former senator Manuel Roxas II.