Ombudsman starts probe on Mocha Uson ‘pederalismo’ case

MANILA, Philippines — Her resignation does not spare former presidential communications assistant secretary Margaux “Mocha” Uson from being investigated by the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with the controversial videos promoting federalism that were posted on her social media accounts.

In a text message to reporters yesterday, Ombudsman Samuel Martires confirmed that his office has directed Uson to file her comment on the criminal complaints recently filed against her by various groups.

Martires said Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar was also directed to file a comment. Although Andanar is not a respondent to the complaints, he had authority over Uson at the time of the commission of the alleged offenses.

On Wednesday, Uson announced her resignation as PCOO assistant secretary, describing her move as a “sacrifice” for the Congress to pass the PCOO’s proposed budget for 2019. Uson also indicated that she might run for the Senate or the House in the upcoming elections. 

Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go thanked Uson for her service and loyalty to the administration of President  Duterte.

Uson submitted her resignation through Go, who in turn handed it to the President. 

Go said the President had already received Uson’s letter and is expected to come up with a formal acceptance of Uson’s resignation.

Go said he wishes Uson the best of luck in her future plans and endeavors.

“We thank her for her service to our President for the past years as Assistant Secretary of PCOO and for communicating news to Filipinos globally,” Go said in Filipino in a statement yesterday. 

Uson was one of Duterte’s biggest supporters when the then-Davao City mayor was running for President in 2016. She was appointed assistant secretary at the PCOO in May 2017.

Martires said Uson’s resignation would have no bearing on the pending complaints against her, as the offense was allegedly committed when she was still in public office. 

Just last month, Carolyn Dagani, president of the Philippine Federation of the Deaf (PFD) and Lauro Purcil, convenor of the Philippine Coalition on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, filed a joint criminal complaint against Uson and blogger Drew Olivar.

The complainants charged Uson and Olivar with violation of Republic Act (RA) 7277 or the Magna Carta of Persons with Disabilities; RA 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees; RA 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act; RA 386 or the Civil Code of the Philippines; and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).

The complaint stemmed from a 48-second video posted on Uson’s Facebook account on Sept. 14. The video, captioned “Pepedederalismo for Deaf People,” featured Olivar pretending to be deaf while making hand gestures mimicking the sign language of deaf people.

Olivar was also squeaking, imitating the sound usually made by deaf people while Uson, who was recording the video, can be heard laughing.

Uson was also heard on the video saying to Olivar, “Uy, mukha kang unggoy diyan (Hey, you look like a monkey).” Uson appeared at the last part of the video laughing with Olivar.

Uson and Olivar have publicly apologized for the video after drawing flak from netizens.

But Dagani and Purcil said apology is not enough, especially for Uson who is a public official.

Early this year, Uson and Olivar also got the ire of the netizens as well as several lawmakers for making fun of the issue of federalism through the “Ipepederalismo” jingle video with sexual overtones, which the two also posted on social media. 

In a letter dated Sept. 28, a copy of which was obtained by reporters yesterday, the ombudsman ordered Uson to file her written comment “within non-extendable period of ten days” on the complaint filed by Dagani and Purcil as well as on her alleged involvement in the earlier “lewd federalism jingle” video.   With Janvic Mateo, Edith Regalado, Eva Visperas