Mocha Uson wrong about Senate not probing poll allegations —Pimentel, Sotto

Two senators on Tuesday took issue with Communications Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson's contention that they did not act on allegations of cheating in the 2016 elections.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Senator Aquilino Pimentel III, who were both present during the hearing of the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on the Automated Election Systems, said most resource persons during the hearing were given a chance to say their piece.

Pimentel, co-chairman of the joint committee, said Glenn Chong, who Uson mentioned in her Facebook post, was able to give his presentation.

"He was able to speak maybe three times. What is the complaint? Wasn't 'given the chance to talk?' Iba ‘ata meaning nila ng word na TALK," said Pimentel in a message to reporters.

Sotto echoed Pimentel's statement.

"Nakapagsalita siya. Siguro sa dami lang ng resource persons hindi lahat ng pagkakataon na mas madaming masabi, pero nakapagsalita sila lahat," he said.

Sotto and Pimentel were among senators who criticized Uson for a video showing a controversial dance supposedly designed to promote federalism, calling it inappropriate.

Uson hit back at the senators, saying they didn't act on the poll cheating allegations.

No further comment

Sotto and Pimentel refused to comment further on Uson's latest broadside.

“No comment na ako diyan. Otherwise we will really be diverted,” Pimentel said.

“Now as far as the issue of, itong sinasabi mo, si Asec. Mocha Uson is concerned, I have already said my piece about it so no comment na,” Sotto told reporters.

Senator Francis Pangilinan said the senators were one in their view of the view so there is nothing they need to say.

“Maliwanag naman na maka-Duterte man o hindi na mga senador, lahat sumasang-ayon na kabastusan ang ginawa niya kaya hindi na kailangan sagutin pa ang depensa niya,” he said.

Senator Risa Hontiveros believed Uson was just trying to skirt responsibility.

“Siguro, kung ang isang tao ay nakagawa ng hindi karapat-dapat sa kaniyang tungkulin lalo na sa gobyerno, dobleng nakakagulat na mag-on the defensive pa siya sa ibang institutions o ibang mga tao na siningil siya sa kaniyang napaka-improper na behavior,” she said.

“Kaya kapag ganyan ang ugali, na sa halip na kilalanin ‘yung mali at kulang na ginawa, tapos inatake na lang ang ibang institutions, eh hindi maiwasan ng tao na isipin na umiiwas lang sa accountability sa kaniyang ginawa,” she added.

Hontiveros further said the senators will not be affected by the criticisms as they were not the ones who acted inappropriately on an important issue.

“Hindi kami naapektuhan sa ganyang klaseng atake kasi hindi naman kami ang nambastos sa isang napakaimportanteng issue,” she said. —JST, GMA News