‘Mocha Uson should apologize, take leave of absence’

MANILA, Philippines — Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson should issue a public apology and take a leave of absence for her faux pas that stemmed from the viral pepedederalismo video, a government official said.

“On the heels of (her latest blunder) on the administration’s campaign to push for federalism, a public apology from the PCOO official is paramount,” said Philippine Information Agency (PIA) director general Harold Clavite in his Facebook post yesterday. 

PIA is under the supervision of PCOO, headed by Secretary Martin Andanar, who continued to back Uson despite the controversy and said he also respected Clavite’s opinion.

“Along this line is a call for her to take a leave of absence to reflect on these matters,” added Clavite.

Clavite found Uson’s boo-boo, which President Duterte regarded as part of her freedom of expression, as an insult to those in the communication profession.

“This is not only a seeming insult to our profession in communication and public information but also degrading to the women and mothers in our communities,” he said.

Clavite expressed his opinion that Uson’s actions since her appointment have time and again proven to be in poor taste – a display of an utter lack of judgment – and maligned the profession as government communicators.

“I speak out on this issue to give value to the massive man-hours my office, the (PIA), had spent on providing capability and capacity building trainings, seminars and workshops to all our stakeholders in public information on the ground; to give value to the hard work of PCOO’s attached agencies,” he said.

“My stand on this issue defends the integrity and intelligence of all government information officers, volunteers and partners – many of whom are women and mothers – across the nation,” Clavite added.

Clavite noted that these people are continuously working hard to positively influence the Filipino public and make them responsible sharers of information. – With Alexis Romero, Janvic Mateo, Robertzon Ramire

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