Aquino political adviser sacks two subordinates for misusing vehicle

Manila: President Benigno Aquino III's political adviser, Ronald Llamas was forced to sack his two aides in connection with the unofficial use of an official vehicle.

Reports said Joey Pecson and John Alarcon, who were part of Llamas's administrative and support staff, were implicated in a traffic accident in suburban Quezon City Friday.

The two were reportedly drunk and that one of them had an assault rifle and bullet proof vests when authorities checked the contents of their vehicles.

The duo was also using a car with a protocol license plate registered under the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs.

Llamas, was out of the country attending a UN High Commission for Refugees Meeting in Geneva, Switzerland at the time the incident took place on Friday.

The incident had been caught in video.

According to the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs, the two were found to have misued the vehicle.

The office said the duo were supposed to take the vehicle to Llamas house but apparently, used it for their own personal purposes and without authorisation.

As to the assault rifle found in their possession, Llamas said it was a licensed firearm and that it was used for the advisers' personal protection being a high ranking government executive.

Earlier, Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said he will have the incident reported.

The presidential office had been cautious on being accused of influence peddling.

Upon his assumption to office last June, Aquino said he will try to do away with the culture of giving privileged to persons of authority and "level the playing field."

According to the Office of the Political Advicer said it "deeply regrets this unfortunate incident and has already initiated the process to effect the immediate dismissal from the service of these two staff members."

"The OPA is also extending full cooperation to the ongoing police investigation, and fully supports any legal and judicial processes that may arise as a result of this incident," according to the statement.