PIA head urges Mocha to say sorry, go on leave

MANILA, Philippines — A colleague of Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson at the Presidential Communications Operations Office has asked her to publicly apologize and go on leave amid the furor over her controversial video on federalism.

Philippine Information Agency director general Harold Clavite said the video of Uson and her blogger co-host Drew Olivar insulted the profession of communication and public information and degraded government workers, particularly women. 

“As a public servant and being part of the PCOO family, I take great offense in Ms. Uson’s actions, which continuously damage the rectitude of my communication and public information agenda,” Clavite said in a Facebook post.

The PIA chief said his stand on the issue defends the integrity and intelligence of government workers.

It is unclear whether Olivar, who filmed the video with Uson in Malacañang during office hours, is a government employee or was otherwise authorized to be at the official residence and workplace of the president of the republic.

“I can no longer let her obscure and vilify my honest work in helping the president, this government and this country, as well as the efforts that we have painstakingly and patiently put up into place under my leadership in PIA for the past two years,” he said.

PIA is an attached unit of the PCOO. According to its website, PIA's aim is to disseminate information about government programs, projects and services to the public.

Clavite also said that it is about time to hold erring officials accountable.

“A public apology from the PCOO official is paramount,” he said.

Clavite added: “I respectfully urge Ms. Mocha Uson to take a leave of absence to think and reconfigure all her strategies putting into consideration the code of conduct and ethical standards that all public officials should adhere to.”

Uson’s video, described as “downright vulgar” and “disturbing” by government officials and federalism advocates, showed her co-host chanting “i-pepe” and “i-dede” while gesturing to his crotch and chest.

It prompted calls for her to resign and for the PCOO to get a budget of zero for 2019.

Uson remains unapologetic and has said that experts on federalism should take advantage of the buzz that the video created to explain the proposed shift to a federal form of government.

READ: 'Federalism' video prompts calls to slash PCOO budget, fire Mocha

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