Palace won’t oppose if Ombudsman fires Uson over recent controversial video

FILE: Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, Jr. (Photo: YANCY LIM/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO)

If the Office of the Ombudsman decides to dismiss Communications Assistant Secretary (ASec) Margaux “Mocha” Uson over her controversial sign language video, Malacañang will not object the body’s decision.

“‘Pag sinabi po ng Ombudsman na sibakin, hindi po natin tututulan ‘yan (If the Ombudsman said Uson should be dismissed, then we will not raise any objections to that),” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said in a Palace briefing on Thursday, September 20.

This came after the Philippine Federation of the Deaf (PFD), also on Thursday, lodged a complaint against Uson and blogger Andrew Olivar for violating the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons over their recent video, mocking the sign language used by the deaf community. It also said that Uson violated the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, as well as the Cybercrime Prevention Act.

“Let’s wait for the decision of the Ombudsman dahil meron na namang ganyang complaint (because there is another complaint). The Ombudsman can already order the dismissal of anyone in the government because it is both an administrative and a criminal case. Igagalang po ng Palasyo ang proseso (The Palace will respect the process),” the spokesman said.

Asked if the Office of the President itself will issue the dismissal order, Roque answered, “Sa ngayon po, hindi (For now, no).”

Uson and Olivar had apologized for their actions, but the deaf community rejected it and sought sanctions against the two.

“We don’t accept. There’s so many deaf people that we have asked and I’d like to tell you that they don’t accept [the] apology,” PFD president Carolyn Dagani told reporters in sign language.

“It’s easy for them to apologize and change their minds. But this will really set a bad example if it is not penalized,” she added.

Dagani called on President Rodrigo Duterte to dismiss Uson from service, just like what De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde wants him to do.

[READ: Benilde seeks sanctions vs. Uson, Olivar over sign language video]

Uson and Olivar were previously put in hot waters for their controversial ‘ipederalismo’ jingle in August. Earlier this month, Communications Assistant Secretary Marie Banaag that Uson was given a memo to remind her of the norms and conduct of public officials and employees especially on professionalism.