Mocha slams Joel Villanueva for comment on Thomasian award

MANILA, Philippines — Presidential Communications Operations Office Assistant Secretary Esther Margaux “Mocha” Uson on Wednesday called Sen. Joel Villanueva a hypocrite for commenting on a controversial recognition given her by the University of Santo Tomas Alumni Association.

Uson reminded the senator of a dismissal order by the Ombudsman after he was found guilty for the misuse of his 2008 Priority Development Assistance Fund when he was still a CIBAC party list representative.

“Ayaw ko sanang ibalik ang nakaraan pero I want you to change kasi isa ka pa namang kapatid sa pananampalataya. Nakalimutan mo na ba ang hatol sayo ng Ombudsman? Paalala ko lang sayo nahatulan ka ng guilty of 'grave misconduct, serious dishonesty and conduct prejudicial to the interest of the service'," Uson wrote on her Facebook page.

"Sa madaling salita hinatulan ka na ng GUILTY ng OMBUDSMAN. Bakit di ka naparusahan? Kasi SENADOR ka na. Sa madaling salita WAG KANG MAG MALINIS. Ako nagkasala ako sa sarili ko at sa Diyos ikaw pati sa bayan. Pero 'wag kang mag-alala kung nalaman ko na ikaw ay tatanggap ng award pupunta pa rin ako kasi hindi ako hipokrito at pariseo tulad mo,” she added.

The PCOO official was reacting to the senator’s remarks on her award.

READ: UST gives award to Mocha Uson for gov’t service

Villanueva earlier said he would have thought twice of accepting the Thomasian Award for Government Service had he known that Uson was also a recipient.

“Pag-iisipan kong mabuti iyon,” Villanueva, author of a bill to penalize 'fake news', was quoted as saying in reports.

He also said he was offended by the statement of the UST Alumni Association that the criteria for the said distinction for the awardee to be a UST graduate and to be working in government.

Uson,who returned the controversial award on Wednesday, was dismayed by Villanueva’s statements.

“[Senator] Joel Villanueva hinahangaan pa naman kita kasi anak ka ng isang ginagalang kong Pastor. Nakalimutan mo ata na ang ating Panginoong Hesus mismo ang kasama niya ay ang mga nagkamali sa lipunan o mga makasalanan. Pero kayo kulang nalang sabihin niyo na nandidiri kayo sa akin,” she posted on her Facebook "blog".

Uson returned the award on Wednesday after the UST community disowned the award recognizing her government service. The UST Central Student Council and other alumni said she is undeserving of the award as she does not embody the ideals of a real Thomasian.

Groups cited how Uson is a "purveyor of politically-motivated propaganda." She previously received flak from her social media blunders.

Aside from Uson, Sen. Villanueva,  Reps. Jose “Lito” Atienza (Buhay party-list), Ruffy Biazon (Muntinlupa), Antonio Tinio (ACT Teachers party-list) and Tom Villarin (Akbayan party-list), Health Secretary Francisco Duque and Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez were among the recipients of the government service award.

RELATED: UST student council strongly denounces award given to Mocha | Mocha brings embarrassment to UST — alumni group