Mocha named MTRCB board member

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATE 1 6:26 p.m.) — A sexy dancer and staunch supporter of President Rodrigo Duterte who once appeared in daring flicks has been named board member of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB).

 

Margaux Justiniano Uson, popularly known as Mocha Uson, was designated MTRCB board member last December 28, appointment papers released to the media Thursday showed. Her term will expire on September 30.

 

Asked why the president named Uson to the post, Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar replied: "Why not?"

 

"Mocha is an artist. She is one of the biggest artists we have in the country. She's been in the show business world for more than a decade already," he added.

 

Andanar also described Uson as “an educated person” and “one of the biggest bloggers in the Philippines.”

 

Uson has been using her blog to attack critics and perceived political rivals of Duterte including Vice President Leni Robredo and the media, which she called “presstitutes.” She has also asked Duterte to boycott mainstream media outlets for their supposed bias against him. 

 

Before campaigning for Duterte, Uson, the leader of the all-female dance group Mocha Girls, appeared in sexy films and sex instructional videos.

 

Uson has decried what she described as sexist attacks against her and has urged critics to focus on her arguments instead of her past.

 

Asked if he thinks Uson’s sexy image can affect the performance of her duties in MTRCB, Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella said: “As far as I know, when you enter into public office, you’re supposed to delineate yourself between your past jobs and your present position.”

 

As board member, Uson is tasked to help the MTRCB perform its function, which includes censoring material that "in the judgment of the board applying contemporary Filipino cultural values as standard, are objectionable for being immoral,  indecent, contrary to law or good customs, or injurious to the prestige” of the country.

 

Aside from Uson, a certain Jeremiah Jaro was also named board members of the MTRCB.