Palace optimistic Mocha Uson can defend self before Ombudsman

April 2, 2018

Malacanang expressed optimism on Monday Presidential Communications Operations Office Assistant Secretary Margaux "Mocah" Uson can fully defend herself following the petition filed against her before the Office of the Ombudsman for allegedly propagating fake news.

"We'll, I'm sure Asec. Mocha will be able to defend herself. There are processes to follow and to observe and she'll be given her fair chance to be able to explain," said Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Menardo Guevarra in a press briefing.

Youth and student leaders filed on Monday administrative complaint against Uson and sought for her dismissal from office for alleged grave misconduct, serious dishonesty, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of public service.

Uson is allegedly using her position to disseminate fake news to attack the critics of the Duterte administration.

Asked if he agreed that Uson is a purveyor of fake news, Guevarra said, "Of course not."

When asked why, he, later said, "Well, I really don’t have—to tell you frankly I don't read all that were written on her blogs. I don’t really have much time to go over all of these things but she has consistently denied it. So I take her word for it, as a fellow worker I take her word for it."

As to the petition filed by the Akbayan Youth before the Ombudsman against Uson, Guevarra said, "I really am not in a position to say whether they have any prima facie basis or not because to tell you frankly, I wasn't able to read those blogs."

Senator Grace Poe, chair of the  Senate committee on public information and mass media, conducted a probe into the fake news and filed a bill barring government officials from spreading false information. Celerina Monte/DMS