MANILA - Palace Communications Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson’s reported involvement in the government’s federalism information drive annoyed Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Palace Communications chief Martin Andanar revealed Monday.

Andanar revealed this as Uson drew flak for posting a video showing her male co-host Drew Olivar making lewd gestures and chanting "Ipepe, ipepe. Idede, idede. Ipede, pede, pede, pederalismo!"

• 'Anong masama dun?' Blogger, Mocha Uson defend controversial federalism video

“Medyo na-badtrip si ES nung kausap ko siya kasi wala namang official announcement na merong spokespersons,” Andanar told reporters.

“He just said that we should ask the assistance of experts in the field of law and also experts of federalism.”

Andanar clarified that it was not the video which annoyed Medialdea, noting that his conversation with the Palace official took place before the uproar over the video.

“Nabadtrip siya sa fact na si Asec. Mocha ang umiikot sa social media na spokesperson na hindi naman, kasi walang approval ang inter-agency. Hindi naman galing sa inter-agency ang pagbibigay ng authority na si Asec. Mocha ang spokesperson."

Consultative committee spokesperson Ding Generoso earlier said he was considering Uson to help in disseminating information about federalism, given her wide reach in social media.

Andanar, however, said his office or the inter-agency body tasked to hold an information drive on federalism has not yet approved of Uson’s role.

He said Generoso should “disengage” on the proposal in the meantime as he plans to talk to Uson about the matter.

Several senators and members of the consultative committee have criticized Uson for the video.