The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has issued Wednesday a subpoena to Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Deputy director Esther Margaux “Mocha” Uson for allegedly posting “fake news” on her social media accounts.
NBI Cybercrime Division Chief Vic Lorenzo said a private citizen filed a complaint against Uson for her Facebook post with a misleading photo, which is a violation of the Bayanihan To Heal As One Act.
In the said Facebook post last month, Uson posted a picture of personal protective equipment (PPE) allegedly purchased and distributed by the Department of Health but it turned out that the pictures were PPE donated by a private company.
Uson later apologized for her erroneous post as she claimed the picture was lifted from a newspaper website and thanked the netizens for calling her attention on her wrong post.
Lorenzo, however, clarified that Uson was just invited as part of NBI’s investigation on the complaint and there is still no complaint filed against her.
“The investigation process includes summoning Uson to get a statement from her, and explain the social media post,” Lorenzo said. “The NBI investigates fake news and online threats against all officials, especially if there are formal complaints filed.”
This was not the first time that Uson drew flak for posting “fake news” through her Mocha Uson Blog Facebook page./PN
