MANILA, Philippines — Labor Secretary Silvestro "Bebot" Bello III cracked a joke on Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar, whom he said has requested for the transfer of Assistant Secretary Margaux "Mocha" Uson to the labor department.
In a press conference of the government's flagship infrastructure program "Build, Build, Build" last August 12, Bello was heard on the microphone speaking to Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar.
He said while laughing that Andanar asked him to transfer Uson to his office.
"Sec. Andanar asked me: Can I transfer Mocha to your office?" Bello said in Filipino.
Uson recently drew public outrage and criticism over her federalism campaign video with blogger Drew Olivar, who performed a "vulgar" dance supposedly to create public awareness about federalism.
READ: Mocha stirs fresh outrage over vulgar 'federalism' dance
In a video posted on Uson's Facebook page, her co-host Olivar chanted "i-pepe" and "i-dede" while gesturing to his crotch and chest. He then proceeded to yell "i-pederelismo" at the end of the dance.
"Pepe" is a Filipino slang word for the vagina while "dede" is a term for breast.
Uson clarified that the Concom had nothing to do with the suggestive dance and that it was "just for fun" for the public to be informed of federalism. — Philstar.com intern Christian de Lano Deiparine