DESPITE explicit prohibitions for government officials and employees to visit casinos, Communications Assistant Secretary Margaux “Mocha” Uson has continued to perform regularly at a popular resort-casino in Pasay City.
Netizens were quick to point out Uson’s possible violations of Memorandum Circular No. 06, signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, ordering the strict compliance by government officials on the prohibition against going to gambling casinos.
Several photos and videos posted in social networking site Facebook suggest Uson has been visiting Resorts World Manila’s Bar 360, a popular entertainment complex in Pasay City at least weekly—performing and taking selfies with fans on June 28 (Wednesday), Aug. 15 (Tuesday), Aug. 30 (Sunday), and recently, Sept. 5 (Tuesday).
No social media posts, however, have shown Uson and members of the Mocha Girls doing gambling activities, an act prohibited by law under Section 46 (b), Chapter 7, Subtitle A, Title I, Book V of Executive Order No. 292
Uson, who started out as a solo singer-dancer performing in bars around Metro Manila, became popular for her sexy image and on-stage antics, including lap dances.
She came into popular light with her defense of then Davao City Mayor and now President Rodrigo
Duterte, who ran for the country’s highest post in 2016.
Sources, who refused to be identified, told the Manila Standard that her contract with RWM started out in 2010 for once-a-week performances, even way before Duterte made her member of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board last year, and as Communications Assistant Secretary early this year.
As of press time, Uson and her superior, Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, has yet to comment on the issue.
In a statement, meanwhile, the management of Resorts World Manila “has advised its entertainment providers to strictly comply with all relevant laws and regulations.”
Asked on what the RWM statement meant, another source said the casino management might review Uson’s ongoing contract with the resort-casino, in light of recent developments of her appointment at the Presidential Communications Operations Office.
Memorandum Circular No. 06 particularly calls on government officials and employees to “comply with all pertinent laws, issuances and policies,” which prohibits them “to enter, stay, or play in gambling casinos.”
“In view of its negative effect on the public perception of government service as a whole, the mere entry or presence of government officials and employees in a gambling casino shall be considered as conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, unless the same was in the performance of official duties and functions,” the MC read.
