Esther Margaux Justiniano Uson (born May 17, 1978), better known as Mocha Uson, is a Filipino media personality, political blogger, and former public official whose career and online presence have drawn significant attention and criticism, particularly regarding allegations of spreading fake news and disinformation. She is also a co-founder of the dance group Mocha Girls.
Uson served as a member of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) from January 2017 until her appointment as an assistant secretary of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) in May of the same year by President Rodrigo Duterte. Duterte defended the appointment, citing utang na loob (debt of gratitude) for her support during his presidential election campaign. She resigned from the PCOO on October 3, 2018, following a series of controversies; sources gave differing accounts, with some reporting she was dismissed by Malacañang. On September 30, 2019, Duterte appointed Uson as deputy executive director of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), an appointment which drew public criticism from Filipino netizens.
Prior to her government appointments, Uson was known for her work as an entertainer with the Mocha Girls, which included performances and media content that were described as risqué. Her time in office, particularly her use of her blog as a platform, was marked by criticism regarding her administrative competence and the dissemination of fake news and misinformation. News outlets and critics have referred to her as the "Queen of Fake News."
Early life and education Mocha Uson was born in Dagupan, Pangasinan, Philippines. However, she later stated in her Certificate of Candidacy to run for councilor of Manila in 2025 that she was born in Makati, Metro Manila on May 17, 1978. Her father, Oscar Uson, was a judge of the Regional Trial Court in Pangasinan who was assassinated in September 2002 in Asingan. Her mother, Estrellita Uson, was a pediatrician in Dagupan and a breast cancer survivor. Due to her baby's dark complexion, Uson's mother was frequently gifted with mocha-flavored cakes and ice-cream as a filial or friendly joke, which inspired her childhood nickname.
Uson graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Technology from the University of Santo Tomas in 1998. She later enrolled at the university's Faculty of Medicine and Surgery in 1999, but left during her second year to pursue professional modeling and a song-and-dance career.
Musical and acting career Music and dance
Uson started as a solo singer-dancer, performing in bars within Metro Manila. She became popular for her sexy image combined with on-stage antics, including lap dances.Sarthou, M. (April 2009). Girl-on-girl power. Maxim Philippines, 40-50 She also became the lead vocalist of a rock band, Mocha with Spin Art.Mocha With Spin Art . Juice.ph (February 24, 2006)A new flavor for Mocha . ClickTheCity.com (November 24, 2005).
In 2006, Uson and her manager, Lord Byron Cristobal, held an audition that led to the formation of the Mocha Girls, together with Hershey Delas Alas, Bez Lacanlale, Grace Oracion, and Heart de Guzman. The group's debut album, A Taste of Mocha, was released in 2006 by XAX Records. Their second album, Mocha, was released in 2007 by Viva Records. Their third album, Deliciosa, was released in 2008, also on Viva Records.Mocha Girls Red Hot Mocha Night at Music Museum . Philippine Concerts. (October 5, 2013) The Mocha Girls performed in various venues throughout the Philippines, United States, Dubai, and Guam.
In 2010, Hershey Delas Alas, Bez Lacanlale, Grace Oracion, and Heart de Guzman were dismissed by Cristobal for allegedly accepting drinks and mingling with male customers after a gig; they later formed a splinter girl group called Girlz Ink. Thereafter, the Mocha Girls released a fourth album, Pinay Ako, in 2012 and toured various Philippine cities and internationally in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
Film In 2009, Uson made her film debut in Sumpa where she starred alongside Joross Gamboa. In 2011, she starred in the Filipino-Malaysian film Seksing Masahista. She also starred in the movies So Much Pain So in Love (2011) and Butas 2 (2012). In 2013, she starred in a coming-of-age film, Mga Alaala ng Tag-ulan, alongside Akihiro Blanco.
Online presence Blog
Uson is one of the most widely-read commentators in the Philippines through her blog, Mocha Uson Blog, which is hosted on Facebook. Initially, she provided commentary and advice on sex and sexuality and hosted online video chats.
During the 2016 Philippine presidential elections, Uson's blog posts began to shift towards politics. Her blog reached over 5.3 million followers in December 2017, with posts that actively support Duterte and his anti-drug campaign. Her blog also opposes much of the country's leading newsgroups, including ABS-CBN, GMA Network, the Philippine Daily Inquirer, and Rappler, which she derided collectively as "Presstitutes" (a portmanteau of press and prostitute). She had also openly criticized Vice President Leni Robredo, Senators Leila de Lima and Antonio Trillanes, and the Liberal Party.
Twitter Uson also has an active Twitter account. In the morning of March 9, 2017, her account was suspended. She went live that day to criticize supporters of the Liberal Party, who she claimed were responsible for jeopardizing her account. Her account was restored later that afternoon.
Facebook Uson likewise maintains an active Facebook account. At around 8:00 pm on March 20, 2020, Facebook took down Uson's account following calls to mass report her for violation of Facebook's standards, specifically on propagating hate speech. Following this development, the hashtag #MochaUsonIsOverParty once again emerged as a top trending Philippine and worldwide topic.
Internet memes Uson is also known for being featured in a number of Filipino Internet memes, including one scene from the 2013 movie Four Sisters and a Wedding, which depicts her being dragged out of a restaurant by the hair in a catfight with the character played by Angel Locsin.
Politics and activism 2016 presidential elections Uson voiced strong support for then-Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte during his successful 2016 presidential campaign.
During the campaign, she was involved in a dispute with musician Jim Paredes, a member of the OPM musical group APO Hiking Society. Paredes, a supporter of the Liberal Party, along with Senator Mar Roxas, accused Duterte of human rights violations. Uson cited an interview that she had done with Paredes in 2012, alleging that Paredes had questioned her sexual orientation and that he had tried to "hit" on her Mocha Girls bandmate, Mae Dela Cerna and herself. Paredes later responded on his official website, saying that he doesn't remember asking such questions to Uson, describing her allegations as "mere exaggeration", and explaining that she was "very candid, almost bragging" during the interview.
As part of Rodrigo Duterte's administration
After Rodrigo Duterte's election as president of the Philippines, Uson became more involved in politics and later became a part of Duterte's administration.
In April 2017, Uson was part of the president's official delegation during his state visits to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Qatar. According to a presidential spokesman, she had a large number of followers from overseas Filipino communities, especially in the Middle East, and was brought along to boost morale and well-being.
MTRCB member Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea confirmed Uson's appointment to the MTRCB in a text message to Rappler on Thursday, January 5, 2017. As member of the board, Uson's was a member of a subcommittee tasked with reviewing movies, programs, and television shows for recommendations of disapproval. Her position at the MTRCB was set to expire on September 30, 2017, but she resigned on May 8, 2017, following her appointment as assistant secretary of the PCOO.
PCOO assistant secretary On May 8, 2017, President Rodrigo Duterte appointed Uson as assistant secretary of the PCOO to handle its social media accounts.
Kris Aquino criticized Uson on her official Facebook account on June 5, 2018, for spreading misinformation about her parents, the late former president Corazon Aquino, and slain former senator Ninoy Aquino.
On October 3, 2018, during a Senate budget hearing, Uson stated that she had resigned as PCOO assistant secretary so that the PCOO's proposed 2019 budget could be passed.
Bureau of Customs In early August 2016, after her exclusive interview with Bureau of Customs (BOC) commissioner Nicanor Faeldon for her blog, Uson was allegedly appointed a "social media consultant" by the Bureau. However, she later clarified through her Facebook page that she would not be holding an official position. She drew criticism from Filipino netizens who questioned her qualifications for the job and promoted the Twitter hashtag #DutertePleaseAppointMe to mock the ease of appointments in his government. Some netizens, however, supported Uson and asked the public to give her a chance.
The Bureau of Customs issued an official denial on its Twitter account stating: "Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon will not appoint Mocha Uson as BOC Social Media Consultant but she can write articles about BOC on her blog." Faeldon's chief of staff also clarified that “No papers are being prepared. Commissioner Faeldon did not sign any paper regarding Mocha’s appointment.”
Following this, Uson responded to her critics through an official statement and television interview. She confirmed that she would not be holding an official position at the Bureau of Customs, but reiterated her intent to voluntarily help the Duterte administration through social media. She also urged critics to "make good use of [their] time" by volunteering to help underprivileged children at the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
Overseas Workers Welfare Administration On September 30, 2019, a new list of presidential appointees from Malacañang revealed that Uson had been appointed as deputy executive director of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). Uson said she would have more time to focus on Overseas Filipino Worker's (OFW) needs, including the creation of a Department of OFWs.
Critics questioned Uson's competency and qualifications and called her appointment a "recycling of garbage" by the government, a waste of salary, a scam, and a disease.
Mocha was heavily criticized for supposedly violating a ban on mass gatherings when she visited quarantined overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Lian, Batangas.
2022 elections Uson supported the candidacy of Manila Mayor Isko Moreno for the 2022 Philippine presidential election, remarking that Moreno was like a younger version of Duterte. Uson was also a nominee of the Mothers for Change Party-list (MOCHA Party-list) which took part in the House of Representatives elections. The group has stated that its goal is to represent mothers even though Uson is not herself a mother. However, the group was unable to secure a seat in the 19th Congress.
2025 candidacy for Manila city councilor
In September 2024, Uson joined the Aksyon Demokratiko party and announced her candidacy for councilor of third district of Manila in the 2025 elections. She ran under the Yorme's Choice ticket of Isko Moreno, who successfully sought a comeback as mayor. However, she ultimately failed to clinch one of the six council seats for the district, finishing 10th.
As part of Isko Moreno's administration In July 2025, Uson was named as a reporter on Yorme's Hour, a weekly program of the Manila city government under Mayor Isko Moreno.
Criticisms and controversies