Many are questioning Paul Soriano’s absence from recent events, particularly during President Bongbong Marcos’s recent State of the Nation Address (SONA).
Last year, Soriano directed Marcos’s inaugural SONA, but for undisclosed reasons, he did not helm this year’s report to the nation.
Someone tell Paul Soriano that the door shouldn't hit him on the way out.
— Bruised Lee (@MorteJude) July 25, 2023
Paul soriano?
— Vayentha (@MissHarriet2222) July 26, 2023
According to Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Cheloy Garafil, Paul Soriano, who serves as the Presidential Adviser for Creative Communications and filmmaker, is currently “on leave until further notice.” This decision was made before the SONA, as Soriano’s wife, Toni Gonzaga, is expecting to give birth to their second child soon.
Before taking his leave, there were allegations that the Filipino-American director had a role in the controversial “Love The Philippines” campaign of the Department of Tourism (DoT) and the “We Give The World Our Best” slogan in London, which featured a Filipina caregiver based in the United Kingdom.
Paul Soriano was appointed as the presidential adviser in October 2022.