PCOO officials urge Duterte to fire Mocha

Nine officials of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) have asked President Rodrigo Duterte to dismiss Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson in the wake of public criticism over a racy video on federalism she had posted on her blog.

The officials made the call in a letter addressed to Duterte, a copy of which was recently forwarded to the offices of Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go.

According to the officials, Uson must be removed from office as she allegedly violated Section 4(b) of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees (Republic Act 6713), which enjoins government officials and employees to “observe the highest degree of excellence, professionalism, intelligence, and skill” in their work.

Medialdea, Go, and PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar did not respond to GMA News Online’s request for comment.

Reviled by some quarters for allegedly spreading disinformation online, Uson recently drew the ire of lawmakers and ordinary citizens due to the video in which blogger Drew Olivar performed a federalism jingle while gesturing to his crotch and chest.

Uson refused to apologize for the controversial video and said she only wanted to help raise awareness on federalism.

Duterte seemed “cool” about the video even as Malacañang called for a better and serious way to educate the public about the proposed shift from unitary to federal form of government.

The PCOO, meanwhile, reminded its officials and employees to be mindful of what they post on social media, taking into account the agency’s role in creating a “positive impact” towards gender issues and portrayal of women in the media. 

An entertainer turned blogger, Uson was appointed to the PCOO in May last year following a brief stint as member of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board. — BAP, GMA News