‘Cheap gimmickry,’ ‘vulgar degradation’: Solons denounce Mocha Uson video

The fallout from Communications Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson's video on federalism continues, with lawmakers from the House of Representatives slamming the blogger for a "lewd" and "vulgar" dance in it.

In a statement, Akbayan party-list Representative Tom Villarin pointed out that the presidential office is not a comedy bar.

"ASec. Uson would better remember that she is already a public official who must perform, not lewd acts of comic material, but her duties to the Filipino people with integrity and respect," he said.

"She fails not only in making Duterte’s Charter change (Cha-cha) any more palatable for Filipinos, but also in engaging Filipinos into the real issues surrounding Cha-cha," he added.

On Uson's "Good News Game Show," at her prodding, co-host Drew Olivar did a dance while chanting, "I-pepe, i-pepe, i-dede, i-dede... ipederalismo!" and gesturing to his crotch and his chest.

This infuriated netizens, prompting them to question Uson's ability to be an effective instrument in raising awareness about federalism.

Some netizens also slammed Uson for supposedly being a waste of taxes as a public servant, which Villarin also addressed.

"If this is where our taxes go, perhaps it’s time to remove [the Presidential Communications Operations Office's] budget and use it for what our people truly need," he said.

Caloocan Representative Edgar Erice said the video only showed that even Malacañang officials have no idea about federalism, prompting them to resort to "cheap gimmickry."

"Good for our country though, it exposes the weakness of the proposal and I would say Cha-cha is dead. Thanks to ASec. Mocha!" he said.

Ifugao Representative Teddy Baguilat, meanwhile, said the video act was "lewd," "shallow" and disgraces Uson's office.

"Hindi nila naisip na isa itong napakahalagang usapin at binababoy nila ang pagpapaliwanag nito," he said.

Baguilat likewise questioned whether the video was funded by the people's taxes.

"Bilang [ASec] sa PCOO at isa sa inatasan ng Pangulo na mamuno sa [information campaign] sa federalism, naglaan sila ng pondo sa isang defective na campaign. Isa itong katiwalian kung ganun," he said.

Gabriela Women's Party Representative Arlene Brosas, on the other hand, commented on Uson's "disgusting use of female sexual objection" in the video.

"[It] is no less than vulgar degradation of women for a questionable political end," she said.

"It is deplorable that Uson is using her position and influence to spread and reinforce the macho and patriarchal view that women's bodies are mere objects that can be toyed for amusement, in this case, for a perverted information drive on federalism which majority of Filipinos object," she added.

Brosas urged Uson to delete the video, apologize and act in accordance with the Code and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees and the Magna Carta of Women.

For her part, Gabriela Women's Party Representative Emmi De Jesus said the video only shows that Uson has no decency and is not worthy of speaking about federalism.

"Yung ginawa nilang video ay pagsalahula sa kababaihan habang inilalako nila ang federalism," she said.

"Lalong pinatunayang walang pagpapahalaga sa kababaihan at yung inilalako nila ay lalong nawalan ng kwenta," she added.

Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III on Monday expressed his disappointment over the video and told Uson to stay away from the topic of federalism until she learns enough about it.

Senator Grace Poe, meanwhile, challenged the PCOO to justify its proposed budget increase amid furor over the video and the budget cuts other agencies are potentially facing.

Other senators also chimed in, calling Uson and Olivar's antics vulgar and with Senator Joel Villanueva saying that Uson is "way out of her league" when it comes to the issue of federalism.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said that Uson probably thought this was a good way to discuss federalism, but that he felt the issue should be discussed more seriously. 

The consultative committee (Con-com) that put together a draft federal charter said that it will "assess" Uson's role in its federalism information campaign.

Uson's own boss, Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, said he told Con-com spokesperson Ding Generoso to "disengage" from talks with Uson's "group." — BM, GMA News