Palace explains why Mocha Uson part of Duterte's Middle East trip

Malacañang on Tuesday defended the inclusion of blogger, entertainer, and Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) member Mocha Uson in President Rodrigo Duterte's Middle East trip delegation.

Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella explained that Uson was the appointed official of the MTRCB to join Duterte's weeklong, three-nation tour.

He added that Uson has a huge following in the Middle East. As of posting time, she has close to five million followers on Facebook.

?"The appointed official of The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board is part of the Philippine delegation. She has a large following among the overseas Filipino communities, especially in the Middle East, and it is in their interest that she has come to help boost morale and well-being," he said.

Uson performed with her all-girl group during Duterte's sorties in the 2016 election campaign period.

She was appointed MTRCB member on January 5. —ALG, GMA News