Concom: Mocha's video not the way to present federalism
MANILA, Philippines — Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson's video which went viral was "certainly not the way to present federalism," Consultative Committee spokesperson Ding Generoso said Monday.
Uson's online show sparked public outrage when her co-host Drew Olivar danced lewdly while chanting "i-pepe" and "i-dede" while gesturing to his crotch and chest.
As earlier stated by Uson in a video posted Sunday night, Generoso stressed that the blogger turned PCOO official is not a designated spokesperson for federalism as it is not part of the information dissemination program.
"It is not a part of the information campaign which is still being crafted, and the mechanics of which are still being finalized," Generoso said in a statement.
The Concom spokesman also clarified that Uson posted the video a day before their meeting on Friday, together with the DILG communications group, to discuss the information drive on the proposed shift to federalism.
Generoso further explained that he only suggested that Uson could write something about federalism in her column and blog or interview experts on the matter due to her social media reach. These efforts would be in line with her duties as a PCOO official.
"What we envisioned is an information campaign that dwells on the benefits that federalism will bring to ordinary citizens, particularly those in the far-flung regions and provinces, areas that have remained lacking in opportunities for growth because of the overconcentration of powers and resources in Metro Manila," Generoso said.
PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar, meanwhile, said that he has advised Generoso to "disengage" from Uson as there was no coordination between their teams.
"He went straight to Mocha without informing the inter-agency and me as the head of this department. There should have been a go-signal," Andanar said.
Senate President Tito Sotto said the Uson should not have used a "theatrical approach" in an issue as serious as federalism.
"I suggest that the PCOO, if they are really interested in a full information dissemination drive, they should get personalities who are academic," Sotto said.
Sen. Grace Poe, on the other hand, asked the PCOO to justify its budget increase while several government agencies are getting "deep cuts" in the proposed 2019 national budget. The PCOO has been granted a P100-million raise in its budget for next year.
"What are the deliverables? Are memes and blogs also hit by inflationary spikes? Is the cost of feeding the nation with government information adversely affected by TRAIN, too? Will the PCOO be hiring campaigners to explain federalism?" she said.
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