Poe eyes hearings over federalism information drive

MANILA — Sen. Grace Poe has urged the Senate to look into the government's information drive for the proposed shift to federalism after a video by Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson reaped wide criticism.

Uson drew flak after Drew Olivar, her blogger co-host on an online show, chanted "i-pepe" and "i-dede" while gesturing to his chest and crotch to supposedly raise awareness on federalism.

A video of Olivar accusing Vice President Leni Robredo of going to South Africa to have sex and sending her daughter Aika to Harvard with public funds has since surfaced. Robredo's office said it is considering filing charges over Olivar's assertions.

Poe filed Senate Resolution 821, which seeks to conduct an inquiry and transparent guide on the information drive of the Consultative Committee (Concom) and the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) on federalism.

Noting that the government allotted P90 million for the information drive, Poe said Uson's "latest antics reeks of impropriety and disrespect to the Concom nor it helps elevate public discourse," the resolution read.

Uson has already said the controversial video was not part of the information campaign and was for an online game show that she and Olivar aired from Malacañang during office hours. She said no public funds were spent on the video, which is not part of her job with the PCOO despite it being made on PCOO time and in PCOO premises.