Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 10) — President Rodrigo Duterte defends his choice of celebrity blogger and known ally Margaux “Mocha” Uson for assistant secretary in the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).
“There’s nothing wrong with the woman or the girl. She’s bright, she’s articulate,” Duterte said in a media briefing before he left for official visits to Cambodia, Hong Kong and China on Wednesday.
Uson’s appointment drew negative reactions from netizens when it was announced on Tuesday.
Read more: Mocha Uson appointed as PCOO Assistant Secretary
But Duterte said critics need to overlook Mocha’s past as an entertainer and focus on her “structured” mind.
“She was with me during the campaign. A little bit sexier than the others. But that does not prevent anybody to deprive her of the honors that she deserves,” the President said.
“Every Filipino should deserve a chance wherever or whatever. Walang problema iyan sa akin [It’s not a problem for me],” he added.
Uson was also present at the airport terminal as she is part of the delegation to Cambodia.
Before boarding the airplane, she said she has yet to be briefed about her post. Uson stayed on the plane for the remainder of the President’s speech.
Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella previously said she will be producing online content for the administration.
