Koko to Mocha: Keep off federalism campaign, take a leave

Stay away of the federalism campaign and take a leave.

Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III issued this strong statement against Communications Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson on Monday, following the controversial jingle on federalism that she shared in social media.

“Ako ay nagkamali! Akala ko makakatulong si Mocha sa pagpapaliwanag tungkol sa Pederalismo,” Pimentel, president of the ruling PDP-Laban, said in a viber message to reporters.

(I was wrong. I thought Mocha could help explain federalism)

“Kasi naman ang pagka intindi ko ay hindi naman siya ang in-charge kundi isang tao na mas meron otoridad at kaalaman sa Pederalismo tulad ng mga miembro ng consultative committee.”

(But to my understanding she would not be in charge but someone with authority and knowledge about federalism like the members of the Consultative Committee)

“’Di ko lubos akalain na bababuyin pala nila ang kawsa ng Pederalismo. Ilayo na si Mocha sa Pederalismo. Mag-aral muna siya ng mabuti. Mag leave muna siya,” Pimentel added.

(I never thought they would even tarnish the cause of federalism. Mocha should be taken out of federalism. She should study hard first. She should take a leave first)

Uson has been tapped by the government to help promote the proposed shift to federalism.

READ: Mocha to campaign for federalism to Filipino masses on social media

But on Sunday, Uson shared a video of her friend dancing to a jingle on federalism with the lyrics: “I-pepe, i-pepe, i-dede, i-dede, i-pepe-pepe-pepederalismo!”

Pimentel said he was not mad at anyone “but disappointed that the best and the brightest appointed to this government can come up with only that kind of bullshit.”

“Even without the dance and the song, listen to the statement they read. Mali mali pa ang substance!” the senator further pointed out.

Pimentel and the PDP-Laban, which he chairs, have been pushing for federalism. /kga