Communications Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson clarified that she does not plan on running for senator this 2019 elections after House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez announced it on November 17.
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“Una po sa lahat, we attended the oath taking of the new PDP Laban members upon the invitation of Presidential Assistant for Visayas, Michael Dino. Walang kahit anong political intention on my part sa pag punta doon,” Uson wrote on her Facebook account, referring to the PDP-Laban mass oathtaking event in Cebu on November 17.
“Kaya nagulat po ako ng sinasabi nila na inanunsyo raw po ni Speaker Alvarez na ako ay tatakbo bilang Senador, HINDI KO PO ITO ALAM AT HINDI NAMIN ITO PINAG USAPAN,” Uson added.
Uson explained that Alvarez has been asking her to run for senator, but she declined the offer.
“Totoo po na matagal na akong iniimibtahan ni Speaker na tumakbo bilang senador at ang sagot ko po ay wala akong planong tumakbo sa senado dahil hindi naman ako politico,” she said.
However, she added that she would consider the idea of a senatorial run on one condition.
“I am thankful and flattered for being considered as a possible candidate, pero sa ngayon ay wala pa akong plans on running. At kung tatakbo man po ako, eto po ay dahil si Pangulong Duterte na mismo ang nagpatakbo sa akin. Yan ay dahil sa ang akin lamang hangarin ay matulungan ang Duterte Administration na pagsilbihan ang bayan,” Uson wrote.
Alvarez made the announcement of Uson’s Senatorial bid during the ruling party’s oathtaking event and confirmed it via text messag with GMA News Online. He told the news site that Uson and Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque are two of the people included in the party’s “partial list” for the 2019 elections.
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He also confirmed that the other people in the partial list included Davao City Rep. Karlo Nograles, Bataan Rep. Geraldine Roman, Negros Occidental Rep. Alfredo Benitez, and former Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Francis Tolentino.
But this was contradicted by PDP-Laban president and Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, who said in another text message that there was “no party decision yet.” He described the potential candidates announced earlier as Alvarez’s “nominees,” whom the party will decide about in “due time.”
Asked about Alvarez’s announcement, Roque said he chooses to focus on his job as a presidential spokesperson.
“I cherish the encouragement and [am] humbled by the endorsement. I am, however, focused on my new job as the president’s spokesperson,” said Roque in a statement in the evening of November 17.
“My priority right now is to do my absolute best in communicating the message of the President to our people,” he added.
He explained that he has no financial means to run for a Senate seat.
“I am also without means to pursue a Senate bid. So, while I am thankful, I reiterate that my priority is to be the best spokesman that I can be for the President,” Roque said.
After reports surfaced about Uson’s supposed senatorial bid, her name trended on Twitter starting Friday evening until the afternoon of Saturday, November 18.
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The Twitterverse erupted with reactions on a possible Senatorial bid for Uson.
The alternative Twitter account for Uson noted how Uson must pass the first test first – an interview with journalist Karen Davila.
So, PDP-Laban wants Mocha Uson to be a Senator?
Well, she must first pass the first test towards a Senate seat: pic.twitter.com/vMSR4RrBsE
— AltAsecMargauxUson (@AsecMargauxUson) November 17, 2017
Another Twitter user agreed.
“Looking forward to Karen Davila interviewing Mocha Uson. May pa-viewing party si mayor if ever,” he said.
Looking forward to Karen Davila interviewing Mocha Uson. May pa-viewing party si mayor if ever.
— Henri Igna (@henriigna) November 18, 2017
One objected to the “plot twist” provided by Uson’s potential Senatorial run.
MOCHA USON RUNNING FOR SENATOR ISNT THE 2017 PLOT TWIST I WAS ASKING FOR
— effy nephrine 🏳️🌈 (@BUKOJUlCE) November 17, 2017
Others used GIFs and memes to react.
“Mocha Uson will run for Senate in 2019.” pic.twitter.com/1Ua96u4Rqc
— Johnny (@IAmJohnnyWong) November 17, 2017
“PDP-Laban announces that Mocha Uson will be running as senator in 2019 election.”
Me: pic.twitter.com/8bGDUwRrHs— Ping Guerrero (@gabrant001) November 17, 2017
Mocha Uson is planning on running for Senator haha ha haa pic.twitter.com/jf35K7n4iU
— Trevor “DON’T TAKE ANTIBIOTICS W/O AN RX” Viloria (@TrevorIsGood) November 17, 2017
BREAKING NEWS:
Pantaleon Alvarez announced that Mocha Uson would be part of PDP-Laban’s 2019 senatorial slate. pic.twitter.com/CNLmgZ8UOq— Joxy (@AtomicJox) November 17, 2017
Me, upon reading that Mocha Uson will run for the senate: #NoToMocha2019 JUSQ NAMAN PILIPINAS pic.twitter.com/SW9IPck5Gi
— Daffnie Diño (@DaaamneDino) November 17, 2017
“Mocha Uson will be included in the senatorial slate…”
Literally everyone: pic.twitter.com/WSbVmFJkVh
— Joshua (@joshua_belmonte) November 17, 2017
*hears that Mocha Uson is going to run for the senate
Me:#NoToMocha2019@YourLawyerSays pic.twitter.com/utdla0S0CQ
— d3 (@shatthird) November 17, 2017
“Mocha Uson and Harry Roque will run for Senate in 2019.”
me: pic.twitter.com/xdBAtxVUlR— 🌊 (@oceanchildd_) November 17, 2017
Reason you will vote Mocha Uson for senator in 2019. pic.twitter.com/P7BGIDOAJv
— Never Mind (@nevermind003) November 17, 2017
MOCHA USON RUNNING FOR SENATOR?
WE NEED ANGEL LOCSIN RIGHT NOW pic.twitter.com/toJhqbZ62o
— Sultry 🎃 Pumpkin (@damselrech10) November 17, 2017
Me struggling to find the logic in fielding Mocha Uson as a senatorial candidate: pic.twitter.com/E9C51HgeNA
— Paco Santiago ᜉᜃᜓ (@fmrsantiago) November 17, 2017
Sources: ( gmanetwork.com , rappler.com )
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