MANILA – Presidential Communications assistant secretary Margaux “Mocha” Uson defended her controversial video that tackled federalism in light of criticism that it was useless and salacious.
Her video was aimed at making Filipinos more familiar with federalism but was not part of the government’s information campaign, Uson clarified on Monday.
“Ang game show po namin, kahit na katuwaan lamang, ay walang intensyon na maliitin ang Pederalismo,” Uson said in another video posted on Facebook. “Bagkus ang aming layunin ay hikayatin ang aming manonood na pag-usapan pa lalo ang Pederalismo.”
In the video “Good News Game Show,” Uson was seen egging on pro-Duterte blogger Drew Olivar as the latter was dancing and singing, “I-pepe, i-pepe, i-dede, i-dede, i-pepe-pepe-pepederalismo,” while touching his crotch and chest.
Referring to the video that went viral online, Uson claimed that their show was “edited out of context as part of a campaign to drive the public’s attention away from the subject.”
The administration of President Rodrigo Duterte is pushing for the shift to a federal system of government.
“Gaya ng aming sinabi, ang aming game show patungkol sa Pederalismo ay wala pong kinalaman sa draft ng Con-com,” Uson said, referring to the Consultative Committee that Duterte formed to review the 1987 Constitution. “Hindi rin po iyon parte ng information drive na kung saan tayo po ay isa sa mga napili na maging kabahagi.”
Uson got under fire online and was criticized by senators for the video.
“Kahit na ang ating mga detractors ay interesado lamang sa paninita sa mga supporters ng Pangulo,” she further said.
“Kailangan nating bigyang atensyon at ’wag nating hayaan na tayo ay malihis sa mga mahalagang usapin gaya ng pandaraya noong nakaraang eleksyon, Charter change at war on drugs,” she added./PN
