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MANILA, Philippines – After the #FireMocha campaign, a new petition is now circulating online to call for the removal of entertainer-turned-blogger Margaux “Mocha” Uson as Presidential Communications and Operations Office (PCOO) Assistant Secretary for Social Media for allegedly spreading fake news.The petition, started by Kremlin Pandaan, now has over 36,000 signatures as of Monday, September 25.
In the petition posted on Change.org, Pandaan stressed that Uson has to stand against fake news as a public official. (READ: The curious case of the Mocha Uson blog)
She has to be an “advocate of…real news,” Padaan said.
Uson has repeatedly invited online criticism after spreading unverified reports in her blog, using foul language in her programs, and performing in a casino. She was appointed to government as payment for supporting President Rodrigo Duterte’s candidacy.
President Duterte appointed her board member of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) in January, and to her current post as PCOO assistant secretary in May.
On September 22, Senator Antonio Trillianes filled administrative and criminal complaints against Uson for accusing the senator of owning several offshore bank accounts, which were later proven to be non-existent. President Duterte, later on, admitted that he invented the numbers on the Trillanes bank accounts.
“The era of fake news is over. Lahat ng magkakalat ng fake news ngayon ay mananagot sa ating batas. So ‘yan ang dapat matutunan ng lahat ng nagkakalat ng fake news (Everyone spreading fake news will be held liable under the law. That’s a lesson for all people spreading fake news ),” Trillianes said in an interview.
Uson said she will resign if the senator wins his case.
Senator Nancy Binay also raised the problem of “fake news” during a budget hearing with PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar.
“Ang hirap i-separate ng Mocha, the private citizen, and Mocha, the Asec, lalong-lalo na… I mean how can you, Secretary Andanar, fight fake news kung may instances na nanggagaling mismo sa isang Asec yung fake news? So I guess yun yung nagiging dilemma mo, how would you balance things?” the senator said.
(It is hard to separate Mocha, the private citizen, and Mocha, the Asec especially since… I mean how can you, Secretary Andanar, fight fake news if there are instances when the Asec is the one spreading fake news? So I guess that’s your dilemma, how would you balance things?) (READ: PCOO to hold ‘media literacy program’ against fake news)
At the height of the Marawi siege, Uson posted a photo asking for prayers for the Philippine Army which later on turned out to be a photo of the Honduran police. In defense, Mocha Uson explained that it was mere symbolism.
In early September, Uson was also criticized for performing in a bar inside a casino even though a memorandum issued by President Duterte prohibits it.
Citing these as reasons, the petitioner from Quezon City emphasized that Uson’s removal will be a step forward in making sure that only competent appointees are eligible for government positions.
“Mocha does not deserve the title. She is not a journalist. She is [the irritating laughing] stock of…real news and journalism,” Padaan added.
This is the 6th petition in Change.org against Uson, all calling her to suspend her blog or resign from her post. – Rappler.com
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