Malacañang has no plans of taking down President Aquino's official website and other social network accounts despite getting crucified online for the government's alleged bungled handling of the hostage incident last Monday.

Herminio Coloma, secretary of the Presidential Communications Operations Office, said the public sentiments, including criticisms on the government's alleged inept actions to end the bus hijacking in Manila, posted on the President's website is democracy at work.

Coloma added they do not regret launching the President's online efforts since they keep the people connected to the government.

"The nature of Facebook and other new media is democracy. Democracy is not limited on land but is also present in cyberspace," he said in a radio interview, after the President's website was flooded with complaints from people here and abroad on how the government handled the hostage crisis that ended in the death of eight Hong Kong tourists.

"That's ok with us," he said on the hate comments that bombarded the President's fan page on Facebook. "We accept that as part of a healthy democracy not only in the country but also in cyberspace. That's part of the nature of the internet," he added.

Coloma admitted though that the administrators of the President's website have implemented filters to remove profanity and expletives in comments posted by some netizens.

Coloma's communication office supervises the government's official feedback mechanism.

"But the sentiments of the people are not edited. That's part of the nature of social media networks where people can vent their true feelings," he said.

"If their sentiments are restricted, they might no longer use it for the main purpose to get feedback and concrete suggestions from them," he added.

President Aquino has extended his sympathies to the families of the victims and promised a thorough investigation into the hostage incident. He also appealed for understanding for the tragedy as the governments strives to remedy lapses in the police operation.

The Aquino government has drawn flak for the bloody tragedy last Monday as the botched rescue bid allegedly showed the incompetence of the police in handling such critical situation.

Even the President was criticized for being nowhere in sight during the hostage crisis involving a bus filled with Hong Kong tourists. He explained that he closely monitored the situation and left to experts to deal with the crisis.