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- Communications Undersecretary Lorraine Badoy stated that Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson did violate the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
- Badoy said that the PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar has instructed her to pass a written reminder to Uson regarding the violation.
- The Undersecretary clarified that they do not have the power to fire Uson as requested by a number of Netizens.
The country’s reaction towards PCOO Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson‘s Federalism controversy has been a mix of support and annoyance.
With the online debate regarding the video, Communications Undersecretary Lorraine Badoy broke her silence and said that Uson did violate the code of ethics for government officials.
In an interview, Badoy cited the Rebublic Act No 6713 which is known as the ‘Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees’.
“Yes, ethical standards have been breached… Well, if we look at RA, yes.
“I think Asec Mocha reminds us of a lot of hypocrisies in our society and she makes us face them, the things inside ourselves, because we are such a hypocritical society.”
As a result, Uson will get a reminder about the violation, as instructed by Communications Secretary Martin Andanar.
“He asked me to, as head of GAD (Gender And Development) of the PCOO, to give her a written reminder. She has to align with the laws regarding gender and development, all the laws and the rules.”
Other than the gentle reminder, she clarified that they do not have the power to fire the assistant secretary and that only President Rodrigo Duterte has the power to do so.
“The official stand of the PCOO is to just remind Mocha. I think the secretary just spoke to her and that’s about it. She’s a presidential appointee and we cannot really fire her. This is a presidential prerogative.”
The USec said that the PCOO officials were shocked by the video. On the contrary, the President was said to be “very cool” about it, as stated by Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque.
“He was cool. It’s freedom of expression. He is a staunch believer of freedom of expression, that’s why he curses frequently. So do not stop him. He is not stopping anyone.”
“Actually, he did not give any instruction and the President was very cool about it.” he said in a press briefing conducted on August 8.
Despite the backlash, Uson and her co-host Andrew Olivar, remained unapologetic.
