Mocha Uson faces new administrative complaint

Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Assistant Secretary Esther Margaux “Mocha” Uson is facing a new administrative complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman after a youth group accused her for proliferating fake news. (Photo: MOCHA USON BLOG/Facebook)

Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Assistant Secretary Esther Margaux “Mocha” Uson is facing a new administrative complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman after a youth group accused her of proliferating fake news.

In a 10-page complaint, members of Akbayan Youth sought for Uson’s “removal from office and dismissal from service” over grave misconduct, serious dishonesty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

“Asec. Mocha is one of the biggest purveyors of disinformation in this government. We are drawing the line versus Mocha and all other government officials who lie to the public,” Shamah Bulangis, one of the complainants, was quoted as saying in an Inquirer report.

“Hindi tanga ang mga Pinoy. Wala na silang maloloko sa kanilang mapang-abusong panloloko. Kailangan na siyang matanggal sa pwesto (Filipinos are not stupid. They will no longer fool anyone with their abusive deceit. She needs to be sacked from her post),” she added.

Despite being appointed as a government official on May 8, 2017, Uson still has a public blog called “Mocha Uson Blog.”

“The online and public persona of public official Uson is the source of numerous and deliberate misinformation,” the Akbayan said.

“This is contrary to the PCOO to ensure transparency and full and appropriate disclosure of policies, programs, official activities, and achievements of the Office of the President and the Executive Branch which are of public concern, and to inform and communicate the same to the Filipino people,” it added.

The youth group stressed that the government official’s continuous act of making public statements that are being heard, witnessed, watched, and accessed by the public “are inconsistent with the PCOO’s functions.”

The student leaders carried protest signs and coffee cups with the face of Uson and #FireMocha message.

Responding to this call, Uson said, “Nagpapasalamat ako sa Akbayan Youth dahil binigyan po nila ako ng idea sa magiging pangalan ng aking future coffee shop; ito ang Fire Mocha Café (I would like to thank the Akbayan Youth because they gave me an idea on what name should I use for my future coffee shop; this is Fire Mocha Café).”

The youth group, on the other hand, suggested a slight change to the name of her future coffee shop — #FiredMocha.

“We hope to see justice delivered against government disinformation, with you fired for gross misconduct, serious dishonesty, and conduct prejudicial to service,” the group said.

“Akbayan Youth is eager [to] see you transition from assistant secretary to coffee shop owner, real quick,” it added.