Medialdea displeased with Mocha's 'federalism' video — Palace
MANILA, Philippines — Even the country's "little president" was against the plan to tap Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson for the federalism information drive.
Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar revealed that Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea got angry upon hearing that Uson would help spread information about federalism and charter change.
"It was a Saturday when I last talked to Executive Secretary Bingbong Medialdea and he was asking me who appointed Mocha," Andanar told radio station dzBB Sunday.
"Executive Secretary [Medialdea] is not pleased," he added.
Andanar said he gave Medialdea the contact number of Ding Generoso, the spokesman for the consultative committee formed to review the 1987 Constitution.
Generoso previously said Uson could help raise public awareness about federalism because she has several online followers.
"It was Ding who tapped her. I was not the one who appointed Mocha to become spokesman. So I told Ding you have to disengage already because ES (Executive Secretary) is already angry. In fact, I think ES has already called him," Andanar said.
Uson has drawn flak over an episode of an online show that critics said poked fun at federalism.
Drew Olivar, a blogger and a co-host of Uson in the "Good News Game Show," touched his crotch and chest while chanting "I-pepe" and "i-dede." He then shouted "I-pederalismo" at the end of his dance number. "Pepe" is a Filipino childspeak for the female reproductive organ while "dede" pertains to breast
Several users of social networking sites lambasted the video, calling it a cheap way of promoting federalism. Other critics chided Uson for allegedly wasting taxpayers' money and insulting the Filipinos' intellect.
Uson, who has been accused of using her blog to spread false information and propaganda, has claimed that the online show is not part of the Concom's information campaign for charter change.
Andanar clarified that Uson is not an official spokesperson for the interagency communication group formed for the public awareness campaign.
"The interagency (group) did not talk to Mocha. So, therefore, it’s not official. Kaya medyo nga na-bad trip si ES (the Executive Secretary was annoyed) while I was talking to him because there was no official announcement that there would be spokespersons," he said in a press briefing in Malacañang.
Andanar said the communication group has agreed that the talking heads on federalism should be members of the Concom, selected Cabinet secretaries, and advocates approved by the Interior and Local Government department.
"The work of the PCOO is to disseminate (information). We will serve as the media platform of federalism messages. The PCOO will not be the messenger. We are are just merely the bridge," he said.
Uson defends dance number
Despite the outrage sparked by the "Pepedederalismo" dance number, Uson maintained that her online show merely sought to encourage discussions on federalism.
"It (game show) did not intend to malign federalism...Our aim is to encourage our viewers to talk about federalism because it is one of the promises of our president," Uson said in a Facebook post written in Filipino.
In an online video posted last Sunday, Uson claimed the game show was shot before the Concom and the communications group talked to her about the campaign.
"I am not a spokesman for federalism. I am not an ambassadress for federalism," she added.
Uson also claimed that no public money was used during the shooting of the game show.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said that while Uson had the best of intentions, federalism should be treated seriously.
"When we are talking about federalism, perhaps we should be more serious because it's about the constitution, the highest law of the land," Roque said in a press briefing in Davao Occidental.
"It should be understood by the people and we should use a language they can understand. We have our own style. But perhaps, we should be serious while communicating it in a manner that can be understood."
Andanar acknowledged that there are "better ways" of creating awareness about the merits of federalism. — Alexis Romero
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