Mocha quits gov't job
LUCKY P. MALICAY
MANILA — Presidential Communications assistant secretary Mocha Uson has stepped down from her post.
The controversial public official announced her resignation during the Senate hearing on the 2019 budget of PCOO Wednesday.
"Ako na po ang magsasakripisyo para maipasa na ang budget ng PCOO. Ako ay nagdesisyon na mag-resign na po," she said.
She said she resigned from her post to ease the way for the passage of the budget of the PCOO, which has been deferred by the House of Representatives due to her absence.
Uson accused some members of the lower house of delaying PCOO's proposed P1.41 billion for 2019, saying they were angered because of her interview with supposed six representatives of indigenous people's groups, including a "datu" implicated in deaths of Lumad leaders in 2015.
The video, which denies claims of militarization in Mindanao and blaming the communist rebels for Lumad killings, is an insult to indigenous peoples, Lumad groups said.
"Pinili kong manahimik sa harap ng pag-atake niyo dahil alam kong kaya niyong ipitin ang budget ng aming departamento," she said.
The House of Representatives deferred plenary deliberations on the proposed budget of PCOO because of Uson's absence, who was in New York for the United Nations General Assembly.
But Uson vowed that it is not yet the end for her.
"Dadalhin ko ang laban sa Senado o Kongreso," she said. Uson is reportedly being eyed as a nominee of ACTSOFW party-list.
STRING OF CONTROVERSIES
Uson, a staunch supporter of President Rodrigo Duterte, has been accused of spreading fake information and tarnishing the image of the government. Controversies involving the former entertainer-turned-public official have prompted calls for her to resign.
Last month, Uson and her blogger friend Drew Olivar sparked outrage over a suggestive dance video that earned the ire of federalism avocates, including close allies of the president.
The duo was also under fire last month for making fun of the sign language used by the deaf community. Supporters and members of the deaf community have filed a complaint against Uson before the Office of the Ombudsman.
Their viral "federalism" video prompted calls to slash the PCOO budget and fire the assistant secretary. Uson is also facing an administrative complaint before the Ombudsman as members of AkbayanYouth accused her of spreading “fake news.”
In September 2017, Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV filed criminal and administrative charges against Uson for alleging he has secret bank accounts.
Last year, the hashtag #FireMocha trended on Twitter after she demanded opposition leaders visit the wake of a cop who, as it turned out, had been dead for a year.
Uson was appointed as PCOO assistant secretary in May 2017. Prior to that, she was a board member of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board.