PCOO says Mocha Uson received memo over ‘ipederalismo’ video

FILE: Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary Margaux “Mocha” Uson with Drew Olivar (Photo: MOCHA USON BLOG/Facebook)

“Ang tanggapan po ni Undersecretary Lorraine Badoy na siya pong namumuno sa gender and development [committee] ng PCOO (Presidential Communications Operations Office) po ay nag-issue ng memorandum kay Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson to remind her doon sa mga lahat ng pino-post niya and to remind her din po doon sa provision ng RA (Republic  Act) 6713, the norms and conduct of public officials and employees especially on professionalism (The office of Undersecretary Lorraine Badoy, who chairs the PCOO’s gender and development committee, issued a memorandum to Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson to remind her on everything she posts and to also remind her about the provision of RA 6713, the norms and conduct of public officials and employees especially on professionalism),” Banaag said at the PCOO budget hearing on Thursday, September 6.

“Ito ang first na reminder na official na ipina-receive po ng opisina ng PCOO through Undersecretary Badoy kay ASec. Mocha (This is the first official reminder that the PCOO, through Undersecretary Badoy wanted ASec. Mocha to receive),” she added.

It was on August 2 when Uson shared a Facebook live video where her co-host in the “Good News Game Show,” Drew Olivar, was seen dancing and gesturing to his crotch and chest areas while chanting, “I-pepe, i-pepe, i-dede, i-dede… ipederalismo!”

The video drew flak from government officials, lawmakers, and netizens as it went viral on August 5, just a few days after she said she plans to use social media to further explain federalism to her fellow Filipinos.

In issuing the memo, Banaag said it only proves that the PCOO does not ignore the public feedbacks about its officials and personnel.

“Hindi lang po kami nanunuod lang sa mga nangyayari, nakikinig din po kami at may ginagawa po ang aming opisina para ma-direct din po ‘yung opisina ni ASec. Mocha (We are not just watching what is happening, we are also listening and our office is doing something to direct the office of ASec. Mocha),” she explained.

“Ang mandato ng PCOO ay magpalaganap ng magandang portrayal or imahe ng kababaihan sa taumbayan through advertisement, through reporting, at sa lahat ng bagay po concerning communications (The PCOO’s mandate is to promote a positive portrayal or image of women to the public through advertisement, through reporting, and in everything concerning communications),” she continued.

A week after Uson sparked online outrage over her federalism video, the PCOO in August issued a memorandum reminding its officials and employees of their “duties and responsibilities” as public servants.

“Please be mindful of the content you post or share on your personal social media accounts, as well as other publications and press releases your office may publish,” Badoy said in the memo dated August 13.

Badoy also reminded them of their “role in creating a positive impact towards gender issues and portrayal of women in the media since we play a crucial role in raising public awareness and shape public opinion.”

The memorandum, however, was directed to all PCOO officials and staff and not to Uson specifically.