Mocha Uson

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."