Duterte: I never fired Mocha

FILE: President Rodrigo Duterte and former Communications Secretary Mocha Uson. (Photo: MOCHA USON BLOG/Facebook)

President Rodrigo Duterte confirmed that former Communications Assistant Secretary Esther Margaux “Mocha” Uson resigned from her post, dismissing a news report that he fired her from the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO).

On Tuesday, October 9, Uson uploaded on her Facebook page a video of her conversation with Duterte in Malacañang.

In the video, Uson was telling the President the report that she was sacked from her post, to which Duterte replied, “No, you resigned.”

“I never fired Mocha, siya ‘yung nag-resign(she was the one who resigned),” he reiterated.

Uson said she did not want to “disturb” the President, who has a jam-packed schedule, but the former assistant secretary just wanted to clarify the issue about her resignation.

“The supporters would just like to know the truth,” Uson said.

Duterte then replied, “I will be angry if you will not disturb me.”

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher “Bong” Go earlier said it was not true that Uson was fired by Duterte.

Uson announced last week her resignation, saying that she gave up her position to ease the way for the Communications agency’s budget for next year.

Despite this, Uson warned her critics that her fight is not yet over.

“Wag kayong magkakamaling isipin na nagtagumpay kayo. Hindi ako nagbitiw sa posisyon dahil takot ako sa inyo. Gusto ko lang na kapag magkaharap tayo, patas ang laban (Do not even think that you won. I did not resign from my position because I’m afraid of you. I just want that when we confront each other, our fight will be fair),” she previously said.

The former Palace official, then, on Monday, confirmed that she will run for public office in the upcoming midterm elections to “give voice to ordinary Filipinos.”

However, she refused to disclose what position she is eyeing for.

[READ: Mocha Uson’s candidacy in 2019 polls draws mixed reactions]