- Harry Roques says no to ‘zero budget’ for PCOO.
- Presidential spokesperson defended PCOO from ‘zero budget’ calls.
Malacanang Spokesperson Harry Roque came to the defense of PCOO after the government office’s assistant Secretary Mocha Uson figured in another controversy.
In a statement on Tuesday, August 7, 2018 during a forum in Quezon City, Roque cautioned everyone from calling for ‘zero budget’ for the Presidential Communications Operations Office.
Roque said there is no reason to call for ‘zero budget’ for the PCOO because they are providing an indispensable role in providing information to the public especially the projects of the government.
“Huwag naman po because PCOO is functioning also, it’s providing an indispensable role. Kinakailangan natin ang mensahe ng Presidente na makarating sa taong-bayan at ‘yan po ang mandato ng PCOO,” he said.
PCOO is again at the center of controversy following the viral “ipepe-idede-ipederalismo” video created and posted by PCOO Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson with Drew “Boy Landi” Olivar.
Many netizens and several legislators are calling for zero-budget for PCOO or Uson’s resignation because of her latest blunder.
But Roque was quick to defend the department, saying PCOO is not solely Mocha. He said Uson is just one of the employees of the department and its fate shouldn’t be determined by her misbehavior.
“Mocha Uson is not synonymous with PCOO; she is one of the workers of PCOO. PCOO has many workers who quietly do their jobs,” Roque explained.
