CONTROVERSIAL Presidential Communications Operations Office Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson is willing to apologize to television talk show host and actress Kris Aquino over a video she posted on social media that showed former Senator Ninoy Aquino kissing two women in a plane before he was assassinated in Manila in August 21, 1983.
Special Assistant to the President, Bong Go, said Uson has agreed with President Rodrigo Duterte, including him that there is a need to apologize to Aquino, who challenged Uson and warned her following the video post that went viral on Facebook.
“Mag so-sorry naman po siya,” Go said. “Nag-agree naman po si Asec. Mocha sa amin. Sa tingin ko mag so-sorry din siya kung may mediang makapag-interview sa kanya.”
On June 4, Uson posted on her Facebook page the video which was placed side by side with the footage of Duterte kissing a married Filipina worker, Bea Kim, in South Korea during a meeting with Filipino community.
Kim said she found no malice in the kiss to the lips, and that the President’s gesture was just a twist to make the audience happy.
Aquino, the youngest daughter of the late senator, did not take Uson’s video lightly saying that it opened wounds of her 12-year-old self when her father was killed.
Go refused to comment after being asked by a reporter if he thought Uson’s sharing of the video was right or wrong and instead tried to explain why she posted the video in the first place. “Ang pinapakita niya, both leaders are well-loved,” Go said, stressing that Uson’s action was unintentional and that she was merely defending Duterte from criticisms.
“Wala namang intensiyon si Asec. Mocha makasakit ng damdamin kaya kami nalang muna ang naunang mag-sorry,” he said.
Asked if he thought Uson should step down amid repeated criticisms for the way she does her job, Go refused to comment, noting that he was not an appointing authority. “Kakausapin ko po si Pangulong Duterte ukol dito since he is the appointing authority,” Go said.
Go said he never advised Uson on what or what not to post on social media, stressing that the she was old enough to make decisions for herself. “Si Asec. Mocha ay matanda na at meron na po siyang sariling pag-iisip at alam niya ang tama at mali,” Go said.
Go also apologized to Aquino on behalf of the President himself after he was told about the issue. He said he told Duterte about Aquino personally texting him and telling him that she was hurt by how Uson’s actions showed disrespect for her father.
The President’s top aide said that his boss said: “Sabihin mo na we are sorry for the incident.”
But Uson, in her blog, said: “With all due respect to everyone involved, I decline to apologize for the truth.” (Azer Parrocha)
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