Atin Ito First Filipino Community Newspaper in Ontario
Presidential adviser on creative communications Paul Soriano is no longer connected with the Department of Tourism (DOT), so said Sen. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara.
Angara, Senate Committee on Finance, disclosed this during the Senate’s deliberations on the proposed P5.768-trillion national budget for 2024, when the proposed budget of the Office of the President (OP) was tackled.
“Wala na po (He’s no longer there),” Angara said when Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III inquired about an advertising campaign that were earlier plastered in buses circulating in London.
Soriano’s name came up when Pimentel asked about the advertisement that carried a “We give the world our best” slogan and featured a Filipina nurse who was the first to administer the Covid-19 vaccine in the United Kingdom (UK).
Pimentel thought it was the OP that was behind the ad campaign, but Angara said Palace officials have denied this and surmised it was the DOT.
Angara pointed out that the funds spent for that particular ad campaign were likely not from official funds.
“Maybe it’s a personal initiative…I’m just speculating,” Angara said.
However, Pimentel lamented why no one seems to be interested to find out any background information on this London ad campaign.
Angara replied it could be because it happened during the time of Soriano, but he is no longer part of the DOT.
The said ad campaign earlier became viral after netizens thought it will become the new tourism slogan of the Philippines. — Hannah Torregoza
*****
Credit belongs to: www.mb.com.ph
