Andanar says he won't deprive Mocha of her freedom of expression

Communications Secretary Martin Andanar does not want to deprive Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson of her freedom of expression even if some of her acts have earned the ire of netizens and even some government officials.

Andanar made the remark on Sunday amid calls for Uson to leave her post in the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO).

"Marami ring nagsasabi na bakit hindi ko pinipigilan [si Mocha]. Ang sabi ko naman, kapag si Mocha ang nagsasalita at binibigyan ko ng karapatan at pinapahalagahan ko yung kanyang freedom of expression ay dapat ganun din ako sa ibang kasamahan natin. Hindi natin pinipigil yung karapatan sa pagsasalita," Andanar told Super Radyo dzBB in an interview.

Philippine Information Agency director general Harold Clavite on Friday publicly asked Uson to step down from her post following her failure to attend plenary deliberations on the budget of the PCOO, causing it to be deferred.

But Andanar reiterated that only President Rodrigo Duterte, Uson's appointing authority, can remove her from her post.

"Ang akin lang, respetuhin natin ang poder ni Pangulong Duterte sa pag-appoint kay Mocha Uson. Huwag nating pangunahan ang pangulo kung ano ang kanyang plano," Andanar said.

"Kami naman sa PCOO, mina-manage ko ang dapat i-manage. Sinisikap ko na mag-manage na walang politika. Talagang naka-focus tayo sa mandato," he added.

Uson likewise recognizes that only Duterte can remove her from office, Andanar said.

"Ganunpaman, ako ay naniniwala na dapat itong mga bagay na ito ay pinag-uusapan lamang sa loob ng opisina," he said.

Aside from Clavite, advocacy groups, netizens, and other officials had urged Uson to quit her government post. —Erwin Colcol/LBG, GMA News