Uson to stop performing in casinos with ‘Mocha Girls’

MANILA—Communications Assistant Secretary Margaux “Mocha” Uson has decided to stop performing in casinos as part of sexy girl group “Mocha Girls”, a Palace official said on Friday.

“Recently dahil sa nangyari na mayroong nakapag-upload ata ng video, naging mainit ang issue dahil sa pag-perform sa casino. I think Mocha decided to stop performing sa casinos,” Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said on the sidelines of the deliberations for the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) budget at the Lower House.

Uson, who was seen in social media posts performing at Bar 360 of Resorts World Manila, declined to speak to the media.

Andanar said that prior to joining the PCOO, Uson had already expressed her desire to honor her existing entertainment contracts.

“Bago po pumasok si Asec. [Assistant Secretary] Mocha sa gobyerno, siya po ay nagpaalam sa aming opisina na kung puwede niyang i-honor iyong kaniyang mga kontrata o entertainment contracts, which pinayagan naman namin as long as ito’y naaayon sa batas, at walang nalalabag na batas dito,” Andanar said.

He added that Uson’s case has been forwarded to the Office of the Executive Secretary’s (OES) office because Uson is a presidential appointee. “I would like to get the legal opinion of the OES Office of the Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs…Ang paalam lang po [ni Uson] ay to continue and honor the contracts na pinirmahan ng Mocha Girls. Naintidihan naman natin iyon. Kailangang i-honor iyon, pero wala pong nabanggit kung saan,” he said.

Malacañang’s Memorandum Circular No. 6 prohibits government officials, members of the Armed Forces, and individuals aged 21 and below from entering, staying, or playing in casinos.

“[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,” the memorandum states.

It also says “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.”