Palace won't defy ombudsman if it orders Mocha's dismissal
MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang said it would not oppose if the Office of the Ombudsman orders the dismissal of Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said this after he was asked on the complaint filed before the ombudsman by the Philippine Federation of the Deaf against Uson and blogger Andrew Olivar during a press briefing on Thursday.
"Igagalang po ng Palasyo ang proseso. Kapag sinabi ng ombudsman sibakin, di po natin tututulan 'yan," Roque said.
But Roque clarified that President Rodrigo Duterte has no intention to sack Uson.
"Sa ngayon po hindi," he said.
"Well let's wait for the decision of the ombudsman dahil mayroon na naman ganyan complaint. The ombudsman can already order the dismissal of anyone in government because it is both an administrative and criminal case."
The PFD is accusing Uson and Olivar of violating the amended Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees and Cybercrime Prevention Act.
The group said Uson and Olivar "[made] fun" and "[killed] the dignity" of the deaf community.
The video posted on Uson's Facebook, since deleted, featured Olivar mimicking sign language and making sounds in an apparent imitation of hearing and speech-impaired people.
Uson could be heard laughing in the background before remarking: "Para kang unggoy dyan."
The Commission on Human Rights is also conducting a probe of the two over the video which it said was "utterly appalling."
The video was the second time Uson and Olivar drew flak. The two were also criticized in August over their video where Olivar was shown chanting "ipepederalismo" a play on words on federalism and the female private parts while dancing lewdly.
Duterte has admitted in a speech earlier this month that he thinks Uson went overboard but proceeded to defend the official who has been a supporter of the president since the campaign period.
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