Villarin: President Duterte and Uson deserve each other
The controversies hounding Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson are “reflective” of the appointing authority, President Rodrigo Duterte, Akbayan Rep. Tom Villarin said on Tuesday.
“Precisely. they both deserve each other, Duterte and Mocha Uson, for whatever needs they have. They complement each other,” Villarin said in a press briefing.
The opposition lawmaker issued the remark in the wake of the public uproar over Uson’s controversial “Pepedederalismo” jingle video.
Because of the issue, Villarin has reiterated his push for a zero budget for the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), which has a budget of P1.38 billion this year and is seeking to increase it to P1.41 billion in 2019.
READ: Villarin wants #ZeroBudgetPCOO after Mocha’s ‘Pepedederalismo’ jingle | Cha-cha is dead, thanks to Mocha — Rep. Erice
Meanwhile, Albay 1st District Edcel Lagman said there was “nothing new” with Uson’s latest move because it’s part of her antics.
Uson defended her “Pepedederalismo” jingle video by saying that it was meant to get Filipinos to talk about federalism.
READ: Mocha defends ‘Pepedederalismo’ jingle: We just want people to talk about federalism
Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano said if Uson’s objective was to get the attention of the Filipino people, “then Mocha succeeded… in a wrong way.”
“Instead na maintintidihan ng taumbayan (federalism), lalong nainis ang taumbayan (It only succeeded in annoying the public),” he added.
READ: Cha-cha is dead, thanks to Mocha — Rep. Erice
Ding Generoso, spokesman of Duterte’s Consultative Committee (Con-com), said the jingle was not part of their information drive to promote federalism.
READ: Lewd jingle not part of federalism drive, says Con-com spokesman
The President, meanwhile, was “cool” about the video, according to Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque.
“It’s freedom of expression. He’s (Duterte) a staunch advocate of freedom of expression kaya nga mahilig magmura (that’s why he is likes to curse),” Roque said in a press briefing on Tuesday. /ee
READ: Duterte cool about ‘Pepedederalismo’ video
