MANILA, Philippines — Undersecretary for New Media Lorraine Badoy said she wasn’t appointed to her new post to “control” Assistant Secretary for Social Media Esther Margaux “Mocha” Uson amid the latter’s inharmonious relationship with members of the traditional media.
“I don’t see my role as usec of new media to control Asec Mocha. She’s a very intelligent and strong woman, very powerful in her own right…The way I see it…our office is (into) building alliances and allies that would include the press,” Badoy said in an interview with reporters aired by News5 on Tuesday, Oct. 31.
“I’m very open to listening to everyone and I’d like nothing more than to get to know you, guys,” Badoy further told the journalists interviewing her.
Then Bombo Radyo reporter Reymund Tinaza told Badoy about the character assassination of journalists on social media, to which the undersecretary replied, “I’m your girl for that, Reymund,” implying that she would listen to journalists and help them address the issue.
Asked again by Tinaza how could Badoy’s office help the Presidential Communications Operations Office to have a better relationship with members of traditional media, the undersecretary said, “My office is open to everyone, including you, guys.”
But Badoy told reporters that because she was new in her job at the Palace, she didn’t know that “these things existed until you, guys, are telling me now…”
“So you also have to be patient with me but I give you my promise that my office will be open and I will be listening and I am your bridge to the President and to our people,” she added.
In another part of the same interview, Badoy nonetheless defended Uson and said she wasn’t really behind those spreading fake news.
“She was grilled for six hours in Senate and she answered very, very well and she debunked this myth that she is a purveyor of fake news. In my opinion, she answered all those questions very, very well by very powerful men, senators, and she clarified a lot of things,” Badoy said.
She said she didn’t like fake news, apparently referring to reports whose allege motive is to bring down the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.
‘S’yempre ayoko n’yan kasi ang totoo lang napakaganda ng totoong news di ba [Of course I don’t like that because isn’t it that true news is so good] that…the accomplishments and achievements of the President are also unprecedented.”
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