Assistant Secretary Margaux “Mocha” Uson has been disowned by the consultative committee and condemned by Senators for the recent “I-pederalismo” viral video but she has remained unapologetic.
Uson uploaded on Facebook an episode of her online game show called “Good News Game Show” where her co-host Drew Olivar made lewd dance gestures while saying “pepe” and “dede” which are street slang for “vagina” and “breasts” to say the word “pederalismo” or federalism.
Amending the 1987 Constitution had been President Rodrigo Duterte’s main campaign promises since 2016.
However, even with an approved federal charter, recent surveys showed that many Filipinos are not aware or are opposed to such change in government.
The consultative committee previously said that they are thinking of tapping Mocha Uson to educate Filipinos about the shift to federalism since she has a strong following on social media.
However, Concom spokesperson Ding Generoso described that such viral post was “certainly not the way to present federalism.”
“What we envisioned is an information campaign that dwells on the benefits that federalism will bring to ordinary citizens, particularly those in the far-flung regions and provinces, areas that have remained lacking in opportunities for growth because of the overconcentration of powers and resources in Metro Manila,” Generoso said.
Meanwhile, Malacañang emphasized that federalism is a topic that needs to be taken seriously.
“I suppose the discussion on federalism should be done with more seriousness because it is the basic law—the highest law of the land,” Palace spokesman Harry Roque said.
Senator Koko Pimentel, who leads the committee on constitutional amendments, described what happened as “bull***” when he expressed his disappointment over Uson.
Senator Binay, who had previously invited Uson to senate hearings on charter change, also aired her disappointment that “the seriousness of the discourse has been downgraded to the lowest of forms.”
No apologies
To address the initial wave of criticisms, Uson clarified that the show was not part of Concom’s campaign and that she and Olivar had been producing the online game show for quite some time on her blog.
“Nangyari po ito sa aming online game show na matagal na po naming ginagawa ni Drew sa aking blog. Bago pa po ako pormal na kausapin ng representate ng Concom at ng communications group ng DILG patungkol sa federalism ay naishoot na namin itong video na to at matagal na naming ginagawa itong online game show na ito,” the PCOO official said in a video.
Moreover, Uson disclaimed being an “ambassadress” or “spokesperson” of the draft federal charter.
“Hindi po ako ang spokesperson ng federalism, hindi po ako ang ambassadress ng federalism. Isa lamang po ako sa mga tutulong para isulong ang kampanya ng federalism sa social media,” she said.
Responsibilities in public service
As assistant secretary, Uson has a salary grade level of 29, wherein she receives a gross salary of P106,454. This amount does not include her monthly P27,000 worth of various allowances.
Aside from that, she is also entitled to P5,000 worth of yearly clothing allowance and another P5,000 as cash gift.
Uson’s major role is to head the Social Media Office under the Presidential Communications Operations Office, which creates content for the PCOO’s official social media accounts.
Being a government official also entails responsibilities as stated in the “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees,” wherein Section 4 states that:
“Public officials and employees shall perform and discharge their duties with the highest degree of excellence, professionalism, intelligence and skill.” —Artwork by Uela Altar-Badayos