Former Solicitor General Florin “Pilo” Hilbay was attacked by Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Deputy Administrator Margaux “Mocha” Uson after the former joined the netizens’ call for the latter’s arrest when she posted “fake news” on her blog which is a violation of the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act.
The former SolGen pointed out that spreading wrong information and unverified news in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis is a violation of the newly enacted law and shall be penalized accordingly, taking Uson’s act of spreading disinformation in her popular blog as an example.
In his Tweet, he said, “The Bayanihan Act dangerously criminalizes fake news. O sige nga… #ArrestMochaNOW”
The Bayanihan Act dangerously criminalizes fake news. O sige nga… #ArrestMochaNOW https://t.co/GbSqxy96Lv
— Florin Hilbay (@fthilbay) April 3, 2020
On Facebook, Uson did not hesitate to lambast the former SolGen for his wrong interpretation of the provision and biased judgment.
She posted a screencap of the article from Inquirer.net about Hilbay’s call for her arrest and a screencap of a section of the RA 1169 provision that elaborates the characteristics of fake information disproving the latter’s claims.
Based on section (f) of the provision, individuals or groups who are creating or spreading false information regarding the COVID-19 crisis on social media or any other platforms, with such information “geared to promote chaos, panic, anarchy, fear, or confusion” will be penalized accordingly.
https://www.facebook.com/margauxmochausonph/posts/2595011764158290
In the caption, she wrote, “Hindi po ako makapaniwala na naging Sol. Gen po kayo. Malinaw po ang nakalagay sa provision ng Bayanihan to Heal as One Act: ‘…clearly geared to create chaos, panic, anarchy, fear, or confusion…’
“Kung tutuusin po ang mas pasok diyan ay ang mga pinakalat ng mga anti-Duterte at ilang main stream media regarding sa statement ng pangulo na ‘shoot them dead’. Malinaw po na ito ay addressed sa mga leftist groups na manggugulo at magiging banta sa buhay ng mga pulis at militar, pero dahil sa kagustuhan niyo na linlangin ang mga tao iba ang pinapalabas niyo,” she added.
She also reminded the former SolGen not to be selective when it comes to applying the law. According to Uson, she is willing to be under investigation provided, but the head of Philippine Star should also be held accountable since it was from their published article where she got the wrong picture that she posted on her blog.
“Huwag din po sana tayong selective pagdating sa pag-apply ng batas. I will gladly subject myself to any investigation kung ito ay kinakailangan pero dapat may maimbestigahan din o may maipatawag sa pamunuan ng Philippine Star bilang doon ko rin sa article nila nakuha ang maling litrato. Kung medyo selective pala ang idea mo ng pag-apply ng batas Mr. Hilbay, ilan kaya ang pinalusot mo noong Sol. Gen ka pa?”
She also posted her reaction on her Twitter page.
https://twitter.com/MochaUson/status/1246121939740938241
Uson recently posted photos showing a new set of PPEs supposedly purchased by the government and distributed to the medical frontliners. However, netizens noticed that one of the photos she posted was from the SM Foundation, Inc.
However, Uson, later issued an erratum and apologized for the wrong photo she posted. Moreover, she has already edited her post and updated the wrong picture.
Many netizens slammed the deputy director for allegedly spreading false information in her blog again. As they cry for her arrest, Twitter hashtag #ArrestMochaNow became a trending topic on Twitter Philippines because of this.
These are some of the netizens comments on Twitter:
Ba’t di hinuhuli ang babaeng yan na patuloy na nagpapakalat ng mga maling balita? Compassion din?
— Joy Samia (@doysamia) April 3, 2020
https://twitter.com/nognogdiaries/status/1245954210463510530
https://twitter.com/katrinachloie/status/1246077731676114946
Epitome of fake news. Eliminate that virus. #ArrestMochaNOW
— Kerwin King (@imkerwinking) April 3, 2020
How do you like your Mocha? Jailed.#ArrestMochaNOW https://t.co/7N8LdwOcI7
— Pahayagang KAPP (@PahayagangKAPP) April 3, 2020
Put her on her right place. #ArrestMochaNOW
— llydcrxxx ✨ (@llydcrz) April 3, 2020
