Mocha Uson to return alumni award, though told it won’t be taken back

Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson (File photo by RICHARD A. REYES / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary Margaux “Mocha” Uson said on Tuesday night that she intended to return the controversial alumni award granted to her by the University of Santo Tomas Alumni Association Inc. (USTAAI).

Uson revealed this shortly after the resignation of the president of the USTAAI, Herny Tenedero, over the heavily criticized Thomasian Alumni Award for Government Service given to the former sexy star turned administration communications executive.

READ: UST Alumni Association president quits amid controversy over Uson award

“Lingid sa kaalaman ng lahat bago pa po lumabas ang statement nila ay sinabi ko na po sa President ng UST Alumni Association Inc. na si Sir Henry Tenedero na akin na pong isasauli ang award,” Uson said in a statement posted on Facebook.

But Uson said that Tenedero told her that the USTAAI did not intend to rescind the award.

Uson commended the USTAAI for standing firm in giving the award to her despite the “bullying” done by UST students and alumni, known as “Thomasians.”

She also called Thomasians “OA” or overacting for supposedly blowing up the issue.

“Hindi ko lamang ito isinapubliko dahil sobrang nao-OA na ako sa ilang Thomasians sa pagpapalaki ng issue na ito. Marami pa pong mas mahahalagang bagay ang dapat pinag-uusapan kesa dito,” she said.

The staunch supporter of President Rodrigo Duterte called on the public to stop the drama, noting other issues hounding the country, like the Dengvaxia fiasco and the imminent eruption of Mayon Volcano in Albay. –AE /atm