Duterte's tolerance for Uson's freedom of expression 'very high'

PRESIDENT

Rodrigo Duterte has a "very high" tolerance for the freedom of expression still being enjoyed by Communications Assistant Secretary Esther Margaux "Mocha" Uson despite new controversy involving her, Malacañang said on Tuesday, September 18.

"As far as the President is concerned, his tolerance for freedom of expression is very high," Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in an interview with Palace reporters, when asked if Duterte was bothered by Uson and blogger Drew Olivar's new viral video that was viewed highly offensive by the deaf community.

In a video shared by Uson on her official Facebook page on September 13, Olivar can be seen mimicking a hearing-impaired person. Uson, who was filming the video clip, can be heard laughing in the background.

The deaf community, as well as deaf advocates including Senator Nancy Binay, took offense at the duo's latest controversial video.

On Monday, September 17, Binay said the two making fun of deaf people is in violation of the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons or Republic Act 9442.

Uson and Olivar have since apologized to the deaf community.

Asked if Uson has any liability for her actions, Roque said: "We leave that to [Communications] Secretary Martin Andanar. He is the superior of Asec. Mocha."

Prior to this, Uson and Olivar previously drew flak for a controversial video featuring the lewd jingle "pepedederalismo" to promote the current administration's proposed federalism.

On September 3, Duterte said that while Uson may have went overboard with some of her actions, she has the right to enjoy her constitutional right to freedom of expression.

"Si Mocha, maraming kalaban. Marami siyang kalaban. Well, I don't know but sabi ko, alam mo ganito iyan: There are things na tingin ko medyo nasobrahan," the President said before the Filipino community in Israel.

(Mocha has many enemies. She has many enemies. Well, I don't know but I said, you know, it's like this: There are things that I think went overboard.)

"But just the same, as a president who is sworn [in] to protect the Constitution and enforce it, it is covered with yung privilege niya [sa] freedom of expression (with her privilege to freedom of expression)," he added. (Ruth Abbey Gita/SunStar Philippines)