MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday admitted that it was his idea to appoint blogger Mocha Uson as assistant secretary of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO).
In a press conference before departing for his visits to Cambodia, China and Hong Kong, the president said that Uson has a "structured mind."
"There's nothing wrong with the woman, the girl. She's bright. She's articulate," Duterte told members of the press.
Duterte noted that Uson helped him during his campaign and that it was time for him to give back.
The president stressed that Uson's background as a former sex guru does not disqualify her from serving the public.
"'Yang pagsasayaw niya hanapbuhay 'yan... There's no law which says that if you expose half of your body with shorts and a bra you are disqualified from being the president of the Philippines," Duterte said.
"Utang na loob ko 'yan sa kanila because they offered their services free at a time na wala akong pera because they believed in me. Now it's my time to believe in them," the president said.
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As assistant secretary, Uson will handle social media, according to PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar. — Patricia Lourdes Viray