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Presidential Communications Operations Office Assistant Secretary Esther Margaux “Mocha” Uson claimed that she also victim of fake news.
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Nancy to Mocha: “It’s time to decide, Asec or blogger?”
“Biktima rin po ako ng fake news.”
Presidential Communications Operations Office Assistant Secretary Esther Margaux “Mocha” Uson revealed during the Senate committee on public information and mass media hearing on fake news.
Asec. Mocha also cited the mainstream media who thrown fake news about her. “Hindi pa po ako na-appoint bilang opisyal ng gobyerno, naglabas na po itong ABS-CBN na ako daw ay na-appoint bilang Customs consultant, at dahil po doon ako’y na-bash online,” she said.
“At ito rin po anonymous page na Madam Claudia na diumano ay hawak din nitong Cocoy Dayao ay nagpalabas po ng pekeng tseke na ibinayad daw po sa akin ni BBM (Bong Bog Marcos) na hindi naman po totoo dahil ang nakalagay naman po doon ay Margaux Uson at hindi ko po kumpletong pangalan yun,” she added.
“At sa ka po kadalasan pong nagpapakalat ng fake news ang ilang mainstream media katulad po ng GMA narin. Nung sinamahan ko si pangulomg duterte sinabi ng GMA na ako raw po ay nag-selfie sa grand mosque sa Marawi na naka-boots. Hindi naman po ako nag-selfie doon,” the assistant secretary said.
However, Sen. Grace Poe, who chairs the Senate panel hearing the “fake news” issue, answered Mocha and hope she can now understands the victims of fake news. The senator also pointed out that Mocha and other media influencers have bigger responsibility because unlike the main stream media.
“Mas magandang pagbuklod-buklorin kaysa paghiwalayin ang mga tao sa mga isyu,” Sen. Grace said.
“At least alam mo ang nararamdaman ng isang nabibiktima. Ang mainstream news ay meron ding function sila yung 5th estate na nagbabantay (sa gobyerno),” the senator added.
On the other hand, Sen. Nancy Binay told PCOO ASec. Mocha Uson to decide whether she wants to continue being a blogger or pursue her public service.
Sen. Nancy cited Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees. She said that under the law’s Section 4, it is indicated that as a public official Uson “cannot use the excuse of doing things in her capacity as a private individual.”
“At this point hindi mo pwedeng ihiwalay yung pagiging blogger mo sa pagiging Asec mo,” Sen. Nancy told to Mocha.
“So I guess di ba? Para malinaw na talaga, baka it’s high time for you to decide kung gusto mong maging Asec or kung gusto mo maging blogger,” she suggested.
PCOO ASec. Mocha defended herself saying she was just “exercising her right to freedom of expression and speech.”
