SAYING she was “bullied” by her fellow alumni, Communications Assistant Secretary Margaux “Mocha” Uson on Tuesday night decided to voluntarily return an award given to her by the University of Santo Tomas Alumni Association Inc., which recognized her as an outstanding graduate in “Government Service.”
“A while ago it [the award] was returned. They accepted it. I returned it because in the first place I didn’t ask them to give me an award,” the controversial blogger told reporters at the Manila International Airport before flying with President Rodrigo Duterte to New Delhi.
“I accepted the award because they gave it to me,” she added.
As this developed, USTAAI president Henry Tenedero also resigned from his post, saying he ”humbly takes full responsibility on what has happened.”
Tenedero drew flak after the alumni organization decided to give the Thomasian Alumni Award for Government Service to Uson, a graduate of Medical Technology from the 407-year-old Catholic university.
Uson, a mouthpiece of the current administration, is accused of allegedly peddling “fake news” in her blog, which boasts to have more than five million engagements.
The Alumni Association also apologized to UST Rector Fr. Herminio Dagohoy, O.P., the administration of the university, alumni, students and the general public “for any reactions that may have resulted from the conferment of the recognition [of] the Thomasian Alumni in Government Service.”]
Some UST alumni and students expressed strong condemnation over the conferment, saying she did not embody “the ideals of a real Thomasian.”
Uson, however, blasted some “bully” UST alumni who made the issue bigger than it is.
“I admire the UST Alumni Association Inc. because they stood their ground despite bullying by some Thomasians,” she said, calling fellow alumni who criticized her as”OA” (over-acting).
Uson likewise stressed there were more pressing issues in the country, citing the dengue vaccination program controversy and the ongoing Mayon Volcano emergency than her conferment of the award.
“Let’s all move on and help our fellow countrymen,” she added.