PCOO probes Mocha’s casino shows

The Presidential Communication Operations Office is investigating whether Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson violated a memorandum circular barring government officials from being seen in casinos, an official said yesterday.

Uson and her sexy dance group Mocha Girls performed in a series of shows at Bar 360 at Resorts World Manila in Pasay City.

“The PCOO is looking into the matter,” Communications Secretary Martin Andanar confirmed to reporters.

“Mocha can still perform if she wishes, but I would discourage her from performing in places like casinos,” he added, shielding Uson again from criticisms, which followed a series of gaffes recently on her social media posts.

“Mocha asked permission to honor her entertainment contracts when she joined the government. Anyhow, we are still looking into (her) performance inside RW,” Andanar said.

As far as presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella is concerned, all government employees are expected to comply with the memorandum and the issue about Uson needs to be verified.

“Policy needs to be complied with but, in this matter, it needs to be properly vetted,” Abella said.

Malacañang Memorandum Order No. 6, issued “by authority of the President” and signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on Sept. 20, 2016, enjoins all government officials and employees to strictly comply with all pertinent laws, issuances and policies prohibiting them to enter, stay or play in gambling casinos.