Cavite Gov. Jonvic Remulla and OWWA Deputy Administrator Mocha Uson (INQUIRER.net file photos)
MANILA, Philippines — Cavite Gov. Jonvic Remulla was perplexed on reading a tweet on Thursday by Mocha Uson, deputy administrator of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, asking where he was when she was being criticized because of her past as a sexy actress.
Uson made the tweet in reaction to an ABS-CBN tweet citing Remulla’s defense of Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domogoso against attacks by his political opponents over his old photos of him in his underwear.
READ: Remulla defends Moreno on ‘bikini’ photos: ‘He never lied, didn’t steal or kill’
In her tweet, Uson said she hoped Remulla would defend others in the same way when under attack because of their past, implying that the governor’s action reeked of a double standard.
In reply, Remulla tweeted in Filipino: “Ma’am, sadly, I’m not familiar with your past. I heard only that you are very influential in the Palace. Excuse me for being late in getting the news about you. I wish you all the best.”
Sana Gov @jonvicremulla ganyan kayo sa lahat hindi lang sa kaalyado sa pulitika. Nasaan ka nuong binabatikos ang nakaraan ko? #DoubleStandard https://t.co/CFaaf5NYVj
— MOCHA USON OFFICIAL (@RealMochaUson) August 12, 2021
Ma’m sadly hindi po ako familiar sa nakaraan mo. Ang narinig ko lang ay very influential ka pa nga sa Palasyo. Pasensya na po at huli ako sa balita tungkol sa iyo. I wish you all the best. https://t.co/h44i5HiDuU
— Jonvic Remulla (@jonvicremulla) August 13, 2021
In defending Domagoso, Remulla said the mayor’s past did not have anything to do with his political career as he never lied to, cheated, or stole from the people of Manila.
It was not mentioned from where the talks about Moreno’s past came from, but his supporters and opposition critics believe that President Rodrigo Duterte was alluding to Moreno when he said in a briefing last Monday that a Metro Manila mayor’s scantily-clad old photos had been spreading on Facebook.
Duterte said he had stripped a Metro Manila mayor of the powers to distribute the lockdown cash aid due for being disorganized in implementing the vaccination program.
READ: In rant vs ‘call boy’ mayor, Duterte steps into pot-calling-kettle black situation
READ: Below the waist: Duterte rants vs mayor in ‘bikini’
On the other hand, Uson’s appointment to various posts was also scrutinized by administration critics, who questioned her credentials government service and her past as a sexy actress.