MANILA -- A Malacanang official denied Friday alleged gap between Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa and Presidential Management Staff head Julia Abad.

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said he could categorically deny the report as he stands as a witness to how the two officials work.

“I spoke to Secretary Julia Abad about the alleged rift with Secretary Ochoa. There is no such thing, they have been working together. In fact, Secretary Ochoa gave Julia chocolate,” Lacierda said.

He further said it was just an ordinary act for Ochoa to give Abad chocolate when they were working.

He also denied that Ochoa and Abad were not communicating with each other, citing the two have met several times to discuss some matters last week.

Ochoa and Abad were allegedly not in good terms, which caused delays in the processing of documents coming from Malacanang. (Jill Beltran/Sunnex)