Communications Secretary Martin Andanar revealed on September 7 that the Presidential Communications Operations Office was looking into reports that Communications Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson is still performing at a bar at the Resorts World Manila.
Reports surfaced when videos posted on social media allegedly showed Uson performing with her group, the “Mocha Girls,” at Bar 360 at the Resorts World Manila.
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Even merely entering a gambling casino is prohibited by Memorandum Circular No. 06 signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on September 20, 2016. The said prohibition came from Presidential Decree No. 1067-B (series of 1977), which was later amended by PD No. 1869 (series of 1983).
The circular urged government officials and employees “to strictly observe and comply with the prohibition against going to gambling casinos.”
Andanar said the “PCOO is looking into the matter” in his text message to the Inquirer when asked to comment on the issue with Uson and her alleged performances inside a casino.
Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella earlier told the media in an ambush interview in Malacañang after a press briefing that the “policy needs to be complied with.” He also added that there is a need for a “proper investigation in order to be able to settle this issue.”
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Andanar told reporters in a separate text message that Uson could “still perform if she wishes” except for places like casinos.
“Mocha asked permission to honor her entertainment contracts when she joined government,” Andanar said. “Mocha can still perform if she wishes (but) I would discourage her from perfomring in places like casinos.”
Andanar said that the PCOO is “still looking into the matter of Mocha performing inside RW.”
On September 6, Rappler reported that a Bar 360 staff confirmed Uson’s performance at the bar almost every week. She was also confirmed to have performed last September 5.
A netizen also posted a photo of Uson with Mocha Girls on September 5 and wondered why a government official like her was in a casino when they are banned from even entering one.
Sources: ( inquirer.net )
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