She’s definitely back! DDS blogger Esther Margaux “Mocha” Uson is back in a government post after President Rodrigo Duterte appointed her as the new Deputy Executive Director of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). Just this afternoon, September 30, the Palace revealed the new list of presidential appointees from Malacañang.
On her radio program this afternoon, Uson promised she will now have more time to focus on the needs of overseas Filipino workers including the creation of a Department for OFWs.
“Mukhang dadami ang puting buhok ko,” she jested.
Uson ran in the recent May 2019 midterm elections as a representative of AA Kasosyo party-list but lost. Her party-list’s aim was to help Filipinos, particularly overseas workers, become successful entrepreneurs.
Her return, however, is being criticized widely by netizens, with one common sentiment being, “This government is good at recycling garbage.”
Malacañang and Comelec have not presented any constitutional or legal basis for asserting that Mocha Uson is not covered by the constitutional ban against the appointment of election losers.
— Tonyo Cruz (@tonyocruz) September 30, 2019
Technically, Mocha Uson can't hold public ofc for a yr. due to constitutional ban on election losers.
And yet, it didn't stop DU30 from giving her a fancy new title. But make no mistake about it—diff title; same job; same shitty effect:
OUR TAXES WILL PAY FOR MOCHA TO TROLL US!
— Francis Baraan IV (@MrFrankBaraan) September 30, 2019
https://twitter.com/audomina/status/1178575801320534016
Mocha Uson’s reappointment to the government speaks of the only qualification Duterte is looking for: Neither excellence nor integrity, but blind loyalty.
Once again, taxpayers will be paying for the salary of a troll. I can’t wait for this administration to be over.
— Gideon Lasco (@gideonlasco) September 30, 2019
Mocha Uson could have bitten a bait. Since she lost in last polls, she's subject to the one-year-ban on appointment under the Omnibus Election Code. Her appointment as OWWA deputy chief is illegal. If she assumes office, she could face charges before the Office of the Ombudsman.
— Philip Lustre Jr. (@IpeLustre) September 30, 2019
LOOK: Mocha Uson is getting ready for her new role as deputy administrator of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration. pic.twitter.com/MiuZRw5p4o
— Malacañang Events and Catering Services (@MalacananEvents) September 30, 2019
Climate activists: CARE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT!!!
This government: *Recycles Mocha Uson*
— Ash Presto 💜 (@sosyolohija) September 30, 2019
From Arnel Ignacio to Mocha Uson— ang liit naman ng tingin ni Duterte sa mga OFW?
Demand more competent people in government! Mocha doesn’t have a place in OWWA.
— Vic Buenaventura (@vicbuenaventura) September 30, 2019
"Mocha Uson appointed as Deputy Executive Director of OWWA."https://t.co/WY4qQB6Oxh
— kel (@kelanocyte) September 30, 2019
Upon Uson’s announcement, Comelec spokesman James Jimenez immediately clarified that the one-year ban from appointments to government posts imposed on electoral candidates do not apply to partylist nominees.
“She is not covered. Party-list nominees are not candidates per se and so, the rule does not apply to them,” Jimenez said.
Uson was among the celebrities that heavily campaigned for Duterte in 2016. She was later appointed communications assistant secretary in May 2017 but resigned last year after a string of gaffes and controversies.
