PCOO Asec Mocha Uson approached Sen. Trillanes & asked for a selfie after the "fake news" hearing | @sherieanntorres pic.twitter.com/yjq35MG5Cv

— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) October 4, 2017

MANILA - In a highly anticipated encounter, Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and Communications Assistant Secretary Margaux "Mocha" Uson came face to face on Wednesday, with the lawmaker urging the official to use her influence to explain state policies instead of sowing hate.

Showing posts from her widely followed Facebook page, Trillanes told Uson that, as a public official working in the executive's communications team, she should be careful about opinion she posts on social media.

Uson came back with a retort, saying even the senator has freedom of expression.

"Hindi po ako aware na wala na palang karapatan ipahayag ang sarili kapag ika'y government official na."

Trillanes fired back: "Elected official kami. Supposed to be, kinakatawan namin 'yung mamamayan, minority or majority, 'yun ang aming trabaho. Pero ikaw, ang trabaho mo is to draw the official line of the government."

Sen. Grace Poe, who led the hearing as chair of the Senate committee on public information and mass media, agreed with Trillanes' point, saying information from the Presidential Communications Operations Office, which Uson represents, is deemed official.

Trillanes earlier filed charges of libel, graft and ethics violations against Uson for various alleged offenses, including accusing him on social media of hiding ill-gotten wealth in several bank accounts, which turned out to be non-existent.

He also charged the entertainer-turned-official for violating the ethical code of public officials for continuing to perform in shows despite her public position.

Malacañang earlier ordered an investigation after social media posts surfaced showing Uson performing at a casino in violation of a government ban.

The senator urged Uson to use her blog to promote, defend and explain government policies, instead of spreading hate.

Uson, for her part, said: "I'm going to consider all his suggestions para sa pag-approach ko sa pagba-blog kung makabubuti ito para sa bayan."

In the end, Trillanes obliged to a selfie with Uson.

• Senators to Mocha: You want fairness but have you been fair?