MANILA -- Malacañang on Monday expressed confidence that Communications Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson, who is currently facing an administrative complaint for allegedly spreading fake news, will be able to defend herself.
“I’m sure Asec. Mocha will be able to defend herself. Meron namang mga (There are) processes to follow and she’ll be given her chance to be able to explain,” Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Menardo Guevarra said in a Palace briefing.
Guevarra made this remark after youth formation Akbayan Youth filed a 10-page administrative complaint against Uson before the Ombudsman, seeking her removal from office.
The youth group accused Uson of grave misconduct, serious dishonesty, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of public service.
Guevarra said that as Uson’s coworker, he believed that Uson is not a purveyor of fake news.
“Of course not,” Gueverra said when pressed if there was any truth to the youth group’s claim that Uson writes fake news in her blog.
However, Guevarra admitted that he has not read Uson’s blog himself.
“To tell you frankly, ‘di ko naman binabasa lahat ng mga nasa (I don’t really read what’s written on these) blogs,” Gueverra said.
“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,” he added.
Guevarra also said that he is not in the position to say whether the youth coalition had prima facie or "at first glance" evidence.
“I really am not in a position to say whether they have any prima facie basis or not. To tell you frankly nga, ‘di ko pa nababasa yung mga (I really haven’t read these) blogs,” Guevarra said.
In a video posted on Facebook, Uson said Akbayan Youth gave her an "idea" for her possible coffee shop business.
“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa Akbayan Youth dahil binigyan po nila ako ng idea sa magiging pangalan ng aking future coffee shop. Ito ang Fire Mocha Cafe (I want to thank Akbayan Youth because they gave me an idea for a name I could give my future coffee shop),” Uson said.
“Abangan niyo po 'yan. Salamat. Kape tayo (Watch out for it. Thanks. Let’s have coffee)!” she said, while sipping coffee.
Uson is also currently facing criminal and administrative charges filed by opposition Senator Antonio Trillanes IV for spreading fake news about his supposed offshore bank accounts. (PNA)
