PALACE Communications Assistant Secretary Esther Margaux “Mocha” Uson said on Wednesday she would return the government service award given to her by the UST Alumni Association, following the furor it had caused.

Uson, in a Facebook post, said she had sent a text message to resigned UST Alumni Association president Henry Tenedero, that she would return her award on Wednesday through her assistant, as she would be on her way to India with President Rodrigo Duterte.

“Taos puso po akong nagpapasalamat po sa inyo,” Uson said.

“Lingid sa kaalaman ng lahat, bago pa po lumabas ang statement nila, ay sinabi ko na po sa President ng [UST Alumni Association] na si Sir Henry Tenedero na akin na pong isasauli ang award,” Uson said.

Thomasians have over-reacted to the issue, Uson said.

Tenedero resigned as alumni association president on Tuesday over the conferment of the government service award on Uson, a medical technology alumna and a die-hard Duterte supporter who has gained infamy for spreading so-called fake news.

“I already submitted to the board and… [according to] our by-laws any resignation will go through discussion and appproval of the board. As I have said, I have already humbly taken responsibility sa mga nangyayari,” Tenedero told the Varsitarian.

The association’s board of trustees on Tuesday decided not to revoke Uson’s award.

The government service award was given to Uson and more than a dozen other alumni during the association’s homecoming Sunday at Buenaventura Garcia Paredes, O.P. Building.