Mocha still enjoys President’s trust – Palace

Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary Margaux “Mocha” Uson still enjoys the trust and confidence of President Duterte despite a controversial public spat with actress Kris Aquino, Malacañang said Thursday.

“For as long as she has not been fired, she enjoys the trust and confidence because all presidential appointees serve at the pleasure of the President,” Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said.

Roque, however, declined to comment whether Uson is an asset or liability of the administration. He said he could not add anything more to the “no comment” statement made by Special Assistant to the President Christopher Go on the matter.

Roque also deferred to Go to respond to other media queries

about Uson’s latest action.

Uson has refused to apologize to Aquino after the actress denounced her for using the memory her father, the late Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr., to defend President Duterte from criticisms for kissing a married woman on the lips in South Korea.

Go had earlier claimed that Uson was expected to apologize to Aquino just like what he and President Duterte did.

Uson, in a recent Facebook post, shared a video comparing the President's behavior in Seoul with Aquino who was kissed by a woman passenger on an airplane that flew him home in 1983.

Aquino, responding on Instagram, lashed out at Uson for trying to discredit her father’s memory, saying the Palace official has crossed the line.

Go has reportedly apologized for Uson's action, adding his apology included that of the President.