Mocha Uson appointed to MTRCB

ENTERTAINER, BLOGGER and columnist Margaux “Mocha” Justiniano Uson has been appointed to President Rodrigo R. Duterte as member of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB).

President Rodrigo R. Duterte appointed Ms. Uson, one of his leading supporters, on Dec. 28, “for a term expiring on 30 September 2017.”

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Communications Secretary Martin M. Andanar said: “Mocha is an artist. She is one of the biggest artists that we have in the country. She’s been in the show business world for more than a decade. She’s one of the biggest bloggers that we have in the Philippines, very influential.”

Asked if Ms. Uson is qualified to sit in the board, Mr. Andanar replied: “Why not? What makes her not qualified?”

“If she has been appointed already, I don’t see any reason why she shouldn’t be appointed,” he added.

Ms. Uson graduated with a degree in medical technology from the University of Santo Tomas. She formed the band Mocha Girls and starred in some films.

Before becoming a social-media blogger with 4,653,300 Facebook followers, she wrote sex-advice pieces for a men’s magazine and appeared in some sex tutorial videos online. Recently, she was appointed “ambassador” of the 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival.

For his part, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto C. Abella said of Ms. Uson’s appointment: “As far as I know, when you enter into public office, you’re supposed to delineate yourself from your past jobs and your present position.”

The MTRCB has the authority to review and classify motion pictures, television programs, and related promotional materials and commercials for TV and cinema.