Mocha plans to return UST alumni award

MANILA, Philippines — Presidential Communications Operations Office Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson intends to return the government service award to the UST Alumni Association after receiving backlash from the Thomasian community.

UST Alumni Association President Henry Tenedero has tendered his resignation after receiving criticism and taking full responsibility for the award.

In a statement posted on her Facebook page, Uson said that she had told Tenedero that she wanted to return her award.

BREAKING: Palace Communications Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson to return her award for government service from the UST Alumni Association tomorrow -resigned president Henry Tenedero pic.twitter.com/md2raaj9ht

— The Varsitarian (@varsitarianust) January 23, 2018

"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. Ngunit sinabi niya sa akin na wala sa isip nila na ito’y bawiin," Uson said.

Uson said that she will return her award on Wednesday, according to a report from The Varsitarian, the official publication of UST.

The UST Alumni Association, on the other hand, insisted that they will not be rescinding Uson's recognition.

"USTAAI clarifies that the recognition conferred upon to the recipients of the Thomasian Alumni in Government Service was upon its own initiative," the statement read.

Last Sunday, Uson received the Thomasian Award for Government Service "to serve as an inspiration to other government workers."

Sen. Joel Villanueva, Buhay party-list Rep. Jose “Lito” Atienza, Muntinlupa Rep. Ruffy Biazon, ACT Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio, Akbayan party-list Rep. Tom Villarin, Health Secretary Francisco Duque and Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez were also recipients of the award.

RELATED: Mocha brings embarrassment to UST — alumni group | Lawmaker to return UST alumni award also given to Mocha