The University of Santo Tomas Central Student Council on Sunday condemned the awarding of the Thomasian Alumni Award for Government Service to Communications Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson, saying the government official is the main purveyor of politically motivated propaganda against known members of the government opposition as well as an avid spreader and citer of “fake news.”
“Esther Margaux ‘Mocha’ Uson, a graduate of Medical Technology in the University, was recently given an award by the UST Alumni Association Inc. for her service under President Rodrigo Duterte’s government. The university of Santo Tomas, in pursuit of preserving its motto, ‘Veritas in Caritate’ or ‘Truth in Charity,’ has emphasized the University’s high regard for truth as graced with charity,” said the student body said in a statement.
The statement said the UST Central Student Council, the highest student government of the university shares the same aspirations and beliefs in this case.
"However, the UST-CSC strongly denounces the UST Alumni Association Inc’s action of honoring Mocha Uson the Thomasian Award for Government Service," the student body said.
"Mocha Uson, who is widely known as the main purveyor of politically motivated propaganda against known members of the government's opposition, an avid spreader and citer of fake news," the statement read.
“Uson is also known to utilize her following to initiate blatant personal attacks against her critics and the government’s, including students and members of the press, all under the guise of fake nationalism and freedom of speech,” the statement read.
"We express our dismay over this event as Mocha Uson does not, in any way, embody the ideals of a real Thomasian, and with all due respect, Ms. Esther Margaux ‘Mocha’ Justiniano Uson does not deserve an award that was supposed to be meant solely for outstanding Thomasian alumni," the statement added.
Uson was given the Thomasian Alumni Award for Government Service along with other government officials from the House of Representatives, the Senate, the judiciary branch and the executive branch.
Meanwhile, the UST-CSC also urged Thomasians to fight against the proliferation of false information and to continuously seek for fact-based pieces of evidence amidst the denial of truth.
"We encourage everyone to be critical on every information they receive even if it hails from supposedly credible sources," the student body said.
“We are also in solidarity with all the members of the media in the fight for our democratic right to free press. We condemn all forms of attacks done by the state, aimed towards silencing and censoring the media,” they also said.
UST's official student publication, The Varsitarian, said on Twitter that Uson received the Thomasian Alumni Award for Government Service.
Uson earned a degree in medical technology from UST.
Uson also attended medical school in the 400-year-old university before dropping out to pursue a career in the music industry.
In a Facebook post, Uson said the recognition was an honor that she dedicates to her mother and the public.
As the leader of all-female sing and dance group Mocha Girls, Uson campaigned for then presidential candidate and Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte during the lead-up to the 2016 elections.
Duterte appointed Uson as assistant secretary of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) in May 2017.
Prior to this, she served as board member of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board.
Uson, who has a massive following on social media, is considered a vital part of the administration’s communications and public relations arsenal.
The official, however, has been repeatedly called out for sharing erroneous stories to the nearly 5.5 million followers of her Facebook page, "Mocha Uson Blog.
Uson expressed gratitude to the UST Alumni Association for her award.
"Nagpapasalamat po ako sa UST Alumni Association sa award po na ito. Inaalay ko po ang award na ito sa mga ordinaryong Pilipino na pinagsisilbihan ng Duterte administration," Uson said.
Uson also has a message for her critics who were against the awarding.
"Sa mga bashers, mag-enjoy lang kayo. Hindi naman kayo pinapakialaman ng administrasyon ano man ang pinagsasabi niyo dahil 'yan ang demokrasya. Enjoy your freedom of expression/speech," Uson said.