The dismayed Presidential Communications Operations Office Assistant Secretary Marguax “Mocha” Uson lambasted Senator Joel Villanueva on Wednesday following the legislator’s remarks on Uson getting the same recognition he also received from the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Alumni Association.
Uson, who also received the Thomasian Alumni Award for Government Service, expressed disappointed on Villanueva’s remarks that he was “hurt” when he learned that the UST had only two criteria in awarding the recognition. The Senator earlier admitted that he was offended by the statement of the UST Alumni Association saying that the sole criteria for the recipients of its award was “to be a graduate of the UST and in government service.”
The Asec. said in a statement posted on her Facebook page Mocha Uson Blog that Villanueva just fell short of saying he was “disgusted” to her.
“Sen Joel Villanueva hinahangaan pa naman kita kasi anak ka ng isang ginagalang kong Pastor. Nakalimutan mo ata na ang ating Panginoong Hesus mismo ang kasama niya ay ang mga nagkamali sa lipunan o mga makasalanan [Senator Joel Villanueva I admire you because you are son of the Pastor whom I respect. It seems you forgot that the Lord’s disciples also had their mistakes],” Uson wrote.
Mocha was referring to Eddie Villanueva who is an evangelist and president-founder of one of the largest churches in the world, the Jesus Is Lord Church Worldwide (JILCW).
“Pero kayo kulang nalang sabihin niyo na nandidiri kayo sa akin. Wag kang mag-alala someday magkikita uli tayo [But you could have just told me that I am disgusted. Don’t worry someday we will cross paths again],” Mocha added.
In another post of Uson, she recalled the Senator’s case in which he was found guilty of grave misconduct, serious dishonesty and conduct prejudicial to the interest of the service that was then dismissed by the Ombudsman.
“Bakit di ka naparusahan? Kasi SENADOR ka na. Sa madaling salita WAG KANG MAG MALINIS. Ako nagkasala ako sa sarili ko at sa Diyos ikaw pati sa bayan [Why didn’t you perished? Because you are already a Senator. Don’t pretend that you are clean, I have sinned against myself and God but you in the citizens as well],” Uson wrote.
She also responded to the statement of Villanueva saying that he would think twice if he had known that Uson would also be receiving an award.
“Pero wag kang mag-alala kung nalaman ko na ikaw ay tatanggap ng award pupunta pa rin ako kasi hindi ako hipokrito at pariseo tulad mo [But don’t worry if I first knew that you will be receiving the award I would still receive mine, I am not a hypocrite or a Pharisee like you],” she added.
In a statement, the University of Santo Tomas Central Student Council (UST-CSC) earlier said that it “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.
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 career in the entertainment industry.