Koko urges Mocha to go on leave after 'federalism' video
MANILA, Philippines — Expressing dismay at Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson's attempt to supposedly promote federalism, Sen. Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III urged her to go on leave to study the issue.
Uson stirred public outrage and criticism after a co-host on her online show performed a "vulgar" dance supposedly to create public awareness about federalism.
Sen. Koko Pimentel when asked if he was angry with Mocha Uson's video on federalism: Hindi galit but "disappointed" that the best and the brightest appointed to this govt can come up with only that kind of bullshit. | @PaoloSRomero
— Philstar.com (@PhilstarNews) August 6, 2018
Pimentel, Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) president, admitted that he was wrong to think that the PCOO official could help in the information drive for the proposed shift to federalism.
"Kasi naman ang pagka intindi ko ay hindi naman siya ang in-charge kundi isang tao na mas meron otoridad at kaalaman sa Pederalismo tulad ng mga miembro ng consultative comm (What I thought was she would not be the one in charge but someone (else) with more authority and knowledge on federalism like members of the consultative committee)," Pimentel said in a statement.
The Concom, which drafted the proposed federal constitution, said it wanted to tap Uson to be part of the information drive on charter change.
Uson earlier said that she would help in the campaign through social media.
"Di ko lubos akalain na bababuyin pala nila ang kawa ng Pederalismo. Ilayo na si Mocha sa Pederalismo. Mag-aral muna siya ng mabuti. Mag-leave muna siya (I never thought that they would insult the cause of federalism. Take Mocha away from federalism. Let her study first. She should go on leave first.)" the senator said.
Asked if he was angry with Uson's video on federalism, Pimentel said he was more disappointed that "the best and the brightest" appointees of the Duterte administration could only come up with "that kind of bullshit."
"Even without the dance and the song, listen to the statement they read. Mali mali pa ang substance! (The substance is wrong!)" Pimentel said.
In a video posted on Uson's Facebook page, her co-host Drew Olivar chanted "i-pepe" and "i-dede" while gesturing to his crotch and chest. He then proceeded to yell "i-pederelismo" at the end of the dance.
"Pepe" is a Filipino slang word for the vagina while "dede" is a term for breast.
Uson clarified that the Concom had nothing to do with the suggestive dance and that it was "just for fun" for the public to be informed of federalism. — Patricia Lourdes Viray with a report from The STAR/Paolo Romero
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