‘Mocha’s resignation is saddening, unexpected’ — ACT Teachers rep.

Although saddened by the resignation of Communications Assistant Secretary Margaux “Mocha” Uson, ACT-Teachers Rep. France Castro said the official is still accountable for her blunders in the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO).

“Nakakalungkot naman na nag-resign siya. Hindi naman namin inaasahan ito,” Castro said.

Castro has pushed for the deferment of the proposed P1.474-billion 2019 budget of the PCOO proper because of Uson’s absence during Tuesday’s plenary debates.

Castro added that she was just doing her job to scrutinize the general appropriations bill.

READ: House defers debate anew on PCOO 2019 budget since Mocha isn’t there… again

“Ako naman ginagawa ko lang ang trabaho ko bilang kongresista at hindi naman ibig sabihin na dine-defer natin ang budget ng PCOO, o ano mang ahensya eh hindi na natin ito ia-approve later on,” Castro said.

(I am just doing my job as a member of Congress. It does not mean that just because we have deferred the budget of the PCOO that of any other agency, it does not mean we are not approving it later).

“Dahil ginagamit natin ang pondo ng mamamayan, accountable tayo na sagutin kung paano ‘to ginagamit… Bilang public offical dapat meron syang tapang at lakas ng loob na kung totoo yung mga pinagsasabi nya sa blog dapat dito sya humarap officially,” she added.

(It is because we are using public funds, we are accountable as to where we will be using it for. As a public official, she should be tough enough to officially face us if she believes that what she wrote in her blog are all true).

Other opposition House members meanwhile have lauded Uson’s resignation.

READ: Opposition solons hail Mocha’s resignation

Uson announced her resignation during a budget hearing of the PCOO at the Senate.

READ: Mocha resigns

The controversial official also revealed that she is open to run in the 2019 polls.  /muf

READ: Mocha open to run for 2019 elections