The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) asked Monday Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Deputy Administrator Esther Margaux “Mocha” Uson to submit her sworn statement by next week over allegations that she posted fake news on social media.
“Kung hindi sila mag-submit considered waived ‘yung rights nila to explain their side,” warned NBI Cyber Crime Division (NBI-CCD) chief Victor Lorenzo.
“Dapat as soon as possible. Dapat by next week meron na ‘yun, by Monday, by Tuesday,” advised Lorenzo.
Though no deadline were given to Uson as to when to submit the affidavit, Lorenzo said her lawyer has not communicated with investigators regarding the specific date to give her statement.
Lorenzo said Uson, accompanied by her lawyer, went to his office at past 10 a.m. on Monday in compliance to the subpoena sent to her which ordered her to appear before investigators.
“Pero wala pa siyang affidavit,” he pointed out.
The investigation concerns her April social media photos of personal protective equipment (PPE) which she claimed were bought by the Department of Health (DoH) when, in fact, these were bought by the SM Foundation.
The complaint against Uson was filed by Angelo Landagan and Shaira Agting who accused her of violating Republic Act 10175, the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
During the meeting with investigators that lasted 25 minutes, Lorenzo recounted that Uson only submitted photos and explained the sequence of events concerning the postings in social media.
“Dapat ‘yung mga pictures na ‘yun should be supported by an affidavit to explain kung ano ‘yung sequence na ‘yun na hindi verbal para i-integrate namin doon sa case folder,” Lorenzo said.
“Tsaka namin ipapa-evaluate yun kung talagang may violation na-commit as it is, this is part of the due process,” he added.
Uson told reporters that she relied on photos from a reputable newspaper but found that the broadsheet also committed errors.
“Nag-issue ako agad ng erratum. Sinabi ko na nagkamali ako ng gamit ng photograph,” she said. (Jeffrey Damicog)
