THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) yesterday called the attention of former Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) deputy administrator Mocha Uson, who is running for councilor in the third district of Manila City, regarding her “double meaning” and “sexually suggestive” campaign jingle.
In a one-page letter, the Comelec told Uson to adopt a more “direct to the point” messaging in her campaigning instead of using those that border between “accepted speech and obscenity”.
“Puns and double meanings may be used as literary devices in campaigns, but we hope that these are used not to distract from your political platform or skirt the line between accepted speech and obscenity, as we are in the context of elections,” said the Comelec.
“Sexually suggestive elements in your campaign can detract from the serious discussions we need to have about policy, governance, and the future of our communities,” it also said.
It likewise called on Uson to “reflect on the impact of your current campaign approach and make choices that elevate political participation and discourse.”
In response, Uson said she has already instructed her campaign team to immediately halt the use of the materials in question.
“We are currently reviewing all our content to ensure that it aligns with the standards of decency and appropriateness expected in public discourse and electoral engagement,” she said in a letter to the Comelec.
The poll body’s move was in relation to Uson’s campaign jingle, which used the words “Cookie ni Mocha para sa pagbabago.”
There is also a video of one of her campaign sorties where she repeatedly sang and rallied the crowd to join in saying “Cookie ni Mocha, ang sarap sarap!”
