TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE
*Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros on the resignation of Mocha Uson

The resignation of Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson is too little, too late. It is an extremely belated gesture rendered insignificant in the face of gross incompetence, state-sponsored vulgarity and the proliferation of fake news. It has come very late in response to the public's demand for accountability. Aanhin pa ang resignasyon kung nalulunod na ang bansa sa baha ng fake news ni Ms. Uson?

The damage has already been done. Uson is leaving the PCOO with a badly tarnished reputation. She has not only successfully planted the seeds of untruth inside the government, she has made sure it bore fruit to sow confusion and poison the public's mind. I'm afraid that the damage done by Uson and her ilk to our institution tasked to inform and educate the people and enrich the quality of public discourse runs deep. It will take more than a forced tokenistic resignation to rebuild the ruin.

I call on Secretary Martin Andanar to restore some sense of order to his office and end the incompetence and state-sponsored promotion of fake news. This may be an extremely challenging task for Secretary Andanar as he himself is accused of gross mismanagement and issuing misleading statements. But if Secretary Andanar really wants to salvage the PCOO's image, he has this one chance to do it. If not, he is no better than Uson.