The University of Santo Tomas Central Student Council (UST-CSC) condemned on Sunday the action of the UST Alumni Association to give Presidential Communications Operations Office Assistant Secretary Marguax “Mocha” Uson the Thomasian Alumni Award for Government Service.
In a statement, the UST CSC said that they “strongly denounces” the UST Alumni Association’s decision to recognize Uson as one of the Outstanding Thomasian Alumni Leaders, which is the highest award given by the university.
“The UST-CSC, the highest student government of the university, shares the same aspirations and beliefs, in this case. However, the UST-CSC strongly denounces the UST Alumni Association’s action of honoring Mocha Uson the Thomasian Award for Government Service,” the student body said in a statement.
The organization slammed Uson and tagged her as the “main purveyor of politically-motivated propaganda” against members of the government’s opposition and an “avid spreader and citer of fake news”.
“Uson is also known to utilize her following to initiate blatant personal attacks against her critics and governments, including students and members of the press, all under the guise of fake nationalism and freedom of speech,” the group said.
The UST-CSC also expressed dismay, saying Uson does not deserve the award bestowed by the University for it is only meant for the outstanding Thomasian alumni.
“We express dismay over this event as Mocha Uson does not, in any way, embody the ideals of a real Thomasian, and with all due respect, Ms. Esther Margaux “Mocha” Justiniano Uson does not deserve an award that was supposed to be meant solely for outstanding alumni,” the UST-CSC added.
Aside from Uson, these are the other awardees from several levels of the government:
- Senator Joel Villanueva
- Representative Jose Atienza Jr.
- Senate Secretary General Lutgardo Barbo
- Representative Joaquin Chipeco Jr.
- National Labor Relations Commissioner Mary Ann Plata-Daytia
- Representative Eugene Michael de Vera
- Court of Appeals Justice Myra Fernandez
- Representative Marlyn Alonte-Naguiat
- Representative Abigail Faye Ferriol-Pascual
- Justice Amy Lazaro-Javier
- Trade Secretary Ramon Nolasco
- Representative Emi Calixto-Rubiano
- Representative Frederick Siao
- Representative Jose Tejada
- Representative Lord Allan Jay Velasco
- Representative Tom Villarin
- Representative Rosenda Ann Ocampo
- Intramuros Administration Administrator Guiller Asido
Uson graduated with a Bachelor of Science in medical technology in the university and studied medicine at the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Medicine and Surgery but dropped out during her second year to pursue her modeling, dancing, and singing career.