PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino will not silence his guns even during Lent which begins on Feb, 22, Ash Wednesday, Malacañang said yesterday.

The Palace was not referring to a truce with communist rebels or Muslim secessionists.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said Aquino could not be stopped from engaging in a word war with impeached Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Valte stressed that the President is merely “clarifying” the issue for the public, pointing out that Aquino is not attacking Corona personally, but simplifying the issue for ordinary Pinoys in the light of the latter’s crusade against the system of corruption and in pushing reforms in the judiciary.

“Mukhang nasagot ng Pangulong Aquino ang sinasabing ceasefire at ang thoughts ng pangulo, ‘if and when I feel I can clarify certain things for the public,’ he will not hesitate to do so," Valte said on the state owned Radyo ng Bayan, PBS DZRB when asked about the prospect of a Lenten ceasefire.

Meanwhile, Valte said the upcoming appearance of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima at the Senate impeachment trial shows the Executive Department is “cooperating” with the impeachment court.

“Tayo ay sasagot kung tayo ay pinatawag,"   she said.

She also brushed aside any  gag order on officials under the Executive Department.

She said officials ranging from the Palace record officer to the registry of deeds had already testified.

Meanwhile, Valte said Malacañang will remain open in engaging Catholic bishops on various issues, including land reform.

“I think these issues will always be there, we have always been open to the bishops in discussing the issues,” she said.

The fact remains we have always been open to coming across on certain issues kahit saang sector galing," she said.