UST Alumni Association president resigns amid uproar

MANILA (UPDATED) - Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary Margaux "Mocha" Uson has vowed to return her government service award from a University of Santo Tomas alumni organization on Wednesday.

"Ibabalik ko po ang award bukas through my assistant sapagkat may flight po ako bukas ng umaga sa India kasama si Pangulo at hindi ko po personal na maibabalik po ito," Uson said in a text message to UST Alumni Association Inc. president Henry Tenedero, according to The Varsitarian, UST's official student publication.

BREAKING: Palace Communications Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson to return her award for government service from the UST Alumni Association tomorrow -resigned president Henry Tenedero pic.twitter.com/md2raaj9ht

— The Varsitarian (@varsitarianust) January 23, 2018

Tenedero confirmed to radio DZMM that Uson decided to return the award to appease the public.

"Ang akin naman nung nakita ko dun yung pangalan ni Asec. Mocha, sige lang because alam mo, ang laki nung nakita kong pagkatao niya simula nung kami ay nagtetext kagabi, nung sinabi niya na ibalik kung yun ang magbibigay ng katahimikan para sa ating mga Tomasino.

"We decided not to rescind yung mga naibigay nang awards kaya nga yung gesture ni Asec Uson ay kahanga-kahanga kasi nakita niyang ‘kung ako ang nagiging silbi ng pagkawatak-watak, ibibigay ko to,’ so that’s where you see the magnanimity, humility of the person. Ang sabi ko lang sa kanya, alam mo Asec. Mocha, may award ka man o wala, ikaw pa rin ay isang Tomasino."

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Tenedero on Tuesday resigned following public outcry over Uson's recognition.

"As head of USTAAI, president Henry Tenedero humbly takes full responsibility on what has happened, thus, tendering his resignation," the USTAAI said in a statement.

• UST Alumni Association president resigns amid uproar over Mocha's award

Despite Tenedero's resignation, the organization said it "stands firm with its decision not to rescind the recognition already conferred."

It, however, apologized "for any reactions that may have resulted from the conferment of the recognitions in the Thomasian Alumni in Government Service."

In her Facebook page, Uson said she offered to return the award but Tenedero said the alumni organization did not want to accept it.

"Lingid sa kaalaman ng lahat bago pa po lumabas ang statement nila ay sinabi ko na po sa President ng UST Alumni Association Inc. na si Sir Henry Tenedero na akin na pong isasauli ang award. Ngunit sinabi niya sa akin na wala sa isip nila na ito’y bawiin," the post read.

"Hindi ko lamang ito isinapubliko dahil sobrang nao-OA na ako sa ilang Thomasians sa pagpapalaki ng issue na ito. Marami pa pong mas mahahalagang bagay ang dapat pinag-uusapan kesa dito."