PCOO probing Mocha’s casino shows amid gov’t ban

The Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) yesterday confirmed that it is looking into reports that Assistant Seretary Margaux “Mocha” Uson is still performing in casinos, contrary to government regulations.

Communications Secretary Martin Andanar confirmed in a text message to members of the media that the PCOO is now looking into reports that Uson has been performing at a posh casino-hotel in Pasay City.

In an ambush interview in Malacañang Thursday afternoon, Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella said the matter would have to be settled internally by the PCOO.

However, the Palace official, in response to claims that Uson violated President Duterte’s own memorandum circular, said that every policy should be complied with.

“From the Palace point of view, policy needs to be complied with. But in this matter, it needs to be properly vetted,” Abella said.

President Duterte issued Memorandum Circular No. 6 last September, 2016. It states that all government officials are prohibited from entering casinos.

“All government officials and employees shall strictly observe and comply with all pertinent laws, issuances, and policies prohibiting government personnel to enter, stay, or play in gambling casinos,” Duterte’s circular read.

“In view of its negative effect on the public perception of government service as a whole, the mere entry or presence of government officials and employees in a gambling casino shall be considered as conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, unless the same was in the performance of official duties and functions,” it added.

Uson, one of the most prominent supporters of President Duterte, was a member of the girl group Mocha Girls before joining government.

Duterte first appointed Uson as board member of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) before she was appointed to the PCOO as head of the social media office.