Mocha Uson: BOC chief offer to help in social media, not as consultant

Blogger Mocha Uson (left) poses with Customs Commissioner Nick Faeldon in this post on her Facebook page posted on August 2, 2016. MOCHA USON FACEBOOK PAGE SCREENGRAB

Performer Mocha Uson on Friday clarified that Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon did not offer her a government job but instead asked her to help out through social media.

Uson, who runs a blog followed by President Rodrigo Duterte’s supporters, told Radyo Inquirer 990AM that she visited Faeldon as part of her campaign to bring the concerns of her followers to concerned government officials.

READ: BOC denies hiring Mocha Uson as social media consultant

“Naging tulay po ang Mocha Uson blog para po maipaabot ang hinaing po ng ating mga kababayan sa mga kinauukulan po,” she said, referring to her Facebook Page, which had featured interviews with Duterte and other administration officials.

(The Mocha Uson blog has become a bridge for Filipinos who want to inform the authorities about the problems they face.)

She said she first visited Duterte and then Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade. She also talked to Philippine National Police Chief Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa.

Uson said Faeldon was the fourth official that she met with to tell him about the complaints of overseas Filipino workers about tampered “balikbayan” boxes, high tax rates and officials asking for bribes. She forwarded actual cases from complainants.

Just a volunteer

“At during the interview po with Commissioner Faeldon, sinabi niya na kailangan niya ng tulong mula sa lahat ng sector ng lipunan, lalong lalo na po sa social media,” she said. “Tinanong niya ako, ‘Mocha pwede bang tulungan mo kami sa social media? Tulungan mo ako at ang BOC (Bureau of Customs), to disseminate information at mga programa sa social media.’”

(During the interview with Commissioner Faeldon, he told me that they need help from all sectors of society, especially in social media…He asked me, “Mocha can you help us in social media? Help me and the BOC to disseminate information and programs in social media.)

READ: Faeldon on Mocha post: It’s a joke

“At tinanggap ko po yun, yung alok na tumulong sa kanila. Pero wala pong katotohanan po yung official appointment, na ako po ay social media consultant. At unang una po ang serbisyo kong ito ay boluntaryo, walang kapalit, walang sahod, walang posisyon,” she explained.

(And I accepted their offer to help them. But there is no truth to reports that it is an official appointment, that I am a social media consultant. First of all, my service is voluntary, without anything in return, no salary and no position.)

Uson said she was also invited by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to help get more volunteers as the agencies address the problem of abandoned senior citizens and children.

She said her bashers should just join her and go to DSWD centers to help care for the abandoned children and elderly people.

Asked if she will accept a government position, Uson said she is earning enough in the entertainment industry as part of the group Mocha Girls. KS/RAM