Andanar: Mocha in New York to cover UN General Assembly

MANILA, Philippines – Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar on Wednesday said Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson went to New York because her help was sought to “cover” the annual United Nations General Assembly.

“Kailangang magtrabaho ni Mocha, eh pinapasuwelduhan siya, di ba. And she was really requested by the Office of [Foreign Affairs] Secretary [Alan Peter] Cayetano na sumama doon sa New York para mag-cover,” Andanar said in an interview with DWIZ radio.

Here at the 72nd UNITED NATIONS General Assembly, New York City #UNGA pic.twitter.com/h9g5PptLBw

— Mocha Uson Blog (@MochaUson) September 19, 2017

Responding to calls from netizens for Uson’s resignation after the supposed head of the PCOO's Social Media Office got involved in controversies, including performing at a casino despite a government ban, Andanar said: “Si Asec. Mocha po ay isang presidential appointee therefore she is under the jurisdiction of the president kapag meron pong mga ganitong legal cases.”

Blogger RJ Nieto, who is behind the Thinking Pinoy blog and is reportedly a DFA consultant, is also in New York for the UNGA.

Due to her attendance at the UNGA, Uson was not able to attend PCOO’s budget hearing at the Senate on Wednesday, where Andanar, who requested an additional budget to fight fake news, was grilled by Sen. Nancy Binay because of Uson.

“How can you, Secretary Andanar, fight fake news kung may mga instances na nanggagaling mismo sa isang Asec yung fake news? I guess ‘yon ‘yung magiging dilemma mo,” Binay told Andanar.

Uson, a staunch supporter of the president, maintains a blog that has millions of followers.

She has been accused of spreading canards to his millions of followers.

Uson, who manages Malacañang’s social media platforms, is also known for slamming journalists and private media companies that are critical of the Duterte administration.

Despite being in New York for the UNGA, there has been no let up on Uson's tirades against government officials opposing Duterte.

PCOO also handles the Philippine News Agency, People’s Television Network, Philippine Broadcasting Service, Radio-Television Malacañang, Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation, Philippine Information Agency, among others.