MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte admitted that “some things went overboard” involving Palace communications assistant secretary Mocha Uson, but he defended the controversial sexy star-turned-government official over her actions.

Calls mounted for Duterte to fire Mocha after the latter posted the controversial video featuring the jingle “pepedederalismo” - a play on the term federalism - on her Facebook page.

The controversial video irked even the President’s allies.

• 'Pepedederalismo, pambababoy': Mocha pinagli-leave

The President acknowledged that “some things went overboard,” but he said the public must respect Uson’s freedom of expression.

“Si Mocha maraming kalaban… There are things na tingin ko medyo nasobrahan. But just the same, as a president who is sworn to take the constitution and enforce it, it is covered by freedom of expression,” Duterte said in a a speech before the Filipino community in Jerusalem, Israel on Sunday evening (Israel time).

“Kung ano ang gusto n'yang sabihin, ke empleyado siya ng opisina ko o sa labas as a private citizen, that is not really my concern as long as it is covered sa proviso ng constitution: freedom of expression.”

Uson was among the personalities who campaigned for Duterte, a long-time Davao City mayor, during the 2016 presidential elections.

Duterte has not made secret that his appointment of Uson was his way of giving back for the latter’s help.

• Duterte on Uson appointment: 'Utang na loob ko 'yan sa kanya'