Concom to tap Mocha for pro-federalism campaign

MANILA, Philippines — The consultative committee (Concom) tasked to review the 1987 Constitution is considering a proposal to tap controversial Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) to promote the draft charter to shift to a federal government. 

Concom spokesman Ding Generoso told The STAR that Uson would be a big help in their campaign to promote federalism and for their proposed Constitution through her social media following. 

“I really wanted to tap her. If she can write and interview the Concom members about the proposed constitution and federalism, that would be a big help for our campaign,” Generoso said.

“We will talk to her and see how she can help,” he added. 

Comparing his appearances on television interviews with that of Uson’s blog, Generoso said that he is getting fewer views than Uson, whose videos are reaching millions of netizens. 

Generoso cited the need to promote the proposed charter, as it appeared that the public is not very aware about it based on the surveys that came out previously. 

 A recent survey of the Social Weather Stations (SWS) showed that only one in every four Filipinos is aware of what the proposed federal system of government is, while a Pulse Asia survey showed that most Filipinos oppose federalism. 

Generoso said that the Concom is now working for the launching for the campaign of the proposed constitution and federalism early next week, or once the materials are ready for upload. 

He said that there is nothing wrong with getting the services of Uson for the social media campaign of the Concom since she is an employee of the PCOO that is one the government agencies involved in the committee’s information drive. 

Uson, who is a staunch supporter of President Duterte, was a former sexy starlet before she was appointed assistant secretary of the PCOO and various posts in the government. 

Uson runs the “Mocha Uson Blog” on Facebook with more than 5 million followers but she became controversial and was criticized by the public for allegedly spreading fake news on social media. 

She was also slammed on social media in August last year after she cited by mistake Article 263 of the Constitution in connection with a tax evasion news story. 

But as far as her credibility is concerned, Generoso does not think it will affect the campaign for federalism and the proposed charter, saying that the Filipino people are smart enough to discern fake from legitimate news. 

He said they will maximize the use of social media as it has become the source of information for many nowadays and to reach the millennials. 

In an interview with The Chiefs on Cignal TV’s One News, former chief justice and now Concom chairman Reynato Puno said that Malacañang is also doing a massive information campaign so that the people will better understand federalism.