Where is Paul Soriano? Angara says ‘Wala na po’

Director Paul Soriano

MANILA, Philippines — Where is presidential adviser on creative communications Paul Soriano now?

“Wala na po,” Senator Sonny Angara said on Thursday, when Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III asked about Soriano during Senate plenary discussions on the proposed budget of the Office of the President (OP) next year.

Sought for clarification later if what he meant was Soriano is no longer with the government as presidential adviser on creative communications, Angara said in a Viber message: “Yun sabi.”

He said he just “mentioned the answer of the Palace” as relayed  to him during the budget hearing.

Malacañang has yet to confirm whether Soriano is still with the government or not anymore.

It was Pimentel who mentioned Soriano’s name while asking about an ad campaign: “We give the world our best” which was previously plastered on London buses.

In particular, Pimentel wanted to know who spent for that ad campaign in London.

But Angara said it was not the OP, and surmised the Department of Tourism (DOT) might be behind the ad campaign.

“So it was not a certain presidential adviser kung ganun?” Pimentel asked again, without naming the presidential adviser.

Angara suggested that the funds spent for the ad campaign were likely not from official funds.

“Baka initiative nya personally. Maaring ganun…I’m just speculating,..” he said.

Still, Pimentel questioned why no one seemed interested in finding out where the funding for the ad campaign was sourced.

Angara then said the OP would find out the fund’s source and inform the opposition senator.

“Kelangan pa pa lang i-request. Walang kusa, wala tayong interest what’s happening? That’s an ad campaign, it mentions our country, sa London. Wala? Nobody lifted a finger to find out the background information. Wala? No one?” Pimentel asked.

“Because it was still during the time of Director Paul Soriano. That’s what I’m told baka sya ang nakakaalam, we’ll ask,” Angara said.

“Wala na ba s’ya ngayon?” Pimentel asked.

“Wala na po,” Angara answered.

Malacañang announced last July that Soriano, husband of actress-TV host Toni Gonzaga, took a leave of absence due to personal matters.