Duterte: I never fired Mocha

Former Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson and President Rodrigo Duterte. INQUIRER FILE

Mocha Uson was not fired, President Rodrigo Duterte said Tuesday.

“I never fired Mocha. Siya ‘yung nag resign,” Duterte said in a video posted on Uson’s Facebook page.

“All these years she was under heavy criticism, I supported her. Freedom of expression ‘yan,” he added.

The President made the remark after Uson told him of an INQUIRER.net report claiming that she was fired as assistant secretary of the Presidential Communications Operations Office or PCOO.

A source told INQUIRER.net that Duterte told Special Assistant to the President Chrtistopher “Bong” Go to call Uson and tell her she was fired.

READ: Source says Duterte fired Mocha but Palace insists she resigned

Uson denied the report which she called “fake news.”

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go also denied that Uson was fired.

Uson announced her resignation from the PCOO last week during a Senate hearing.

The celebrity-turned-blogger claimed that some lawmakers constantly delayed deliberations on the budget of the PCOO because of her. She said her resignation would allow things to move forward.

On Monday, Uson said that she would seek an elective post in the 2019 midterm elections.

In the video, Uson also told Duterte of her plans to seek a Congress seat.

“I will support you,” Duterte replied. /cbb

READ: Mocha: I will run in 2019 polls to give voice to voiceless

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