Netizens mostly reacted negatively after filmmaker Paul Soriano got named Presidential Adviser for Creative Communications.
On October 17, [Soriano’s birthday], the grandson of the late actor Nestor de Villa (Gines Francisco Soriano) and son of director and pastor Jeric Soriano took an oath with the Commander-in-Chief himself, who administered the ceremony.
Soriano is the nephew of First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos and is considered one of the candidates to be the next Press Secretary after the departure of Trixie Angeles. However, Soriano said he wouldn’t take the position.
Toni Gonzaga said she was “proud” of Soriano on Instagram.
Filipinos did not understand why a new position was necessary when the country is yet to have a DOH and agriculture secretary.
Creative Communications Adviser over a DOH Secretary. What a priority.✌️#PilipinasMuna
— Anthony OFM (@iamarkofm) October 17, 2022
Agriculture and DOH Secretary wala pa rin po.
Inuna ang creative communications for him to look good and competent ? What do you think ?
— Tony Leachon MD (@DrTonyLeachon) October 17, 2022
Also, nauna pa ito sa Secretary of Health? https://t.co/sarhMPSakH
— JC Punongbayan (@jcpunongbayan) October 17, 2022
Many said that Soriano will be mainly responsible for employing online trolls.
Presidential Adviser for Creative Communications
=
Chief Propagandist https://t.co/40kLyJAQfJ— Kristoffer Pasion (@indiohistorian) October 17, 2022
https://twitter.com/rein_reigns/status/1581880786600353792?s=20
i'm pissed about loyalists saying "ampalaya mga kakampwet" over paul soriano's appointment as pReS. aDvIsEr oN cReaTive CoMms like be for real!!! your president hasn't even appointed a DOH secretary. i dont see how the advisory position is more pressing over a health secretary.
— dan (@vectorquantity_) October 17, 2022
Director Paul Soriano appointed as Presidential Adviser for Creative Communications.
"Creative Communications"?
As in tsismis? Fake news?— Allan (@_Allan_Bernabe_) October 17, 2022
Contrary to what the netizens thought, Soriano will only get a salary of P1 a year.
“One of the greatest assets of the Filipino is our creativity, and we must find many ways to highlight that to the rest of the world. And that is what Paul Soriano has already been doing in his career as a filmmaker. And now we have asked him to help us at one peso per year,” Marcos said.
Soriano thanked the President for appointing him.
“It’s an absolute honor to be able to serve, first and foremost, of course, for the country and then, of course, for the PBBM administration. It’s a passion of mine to just create and communicate. It’s an absolute honor that the president has trusted me with this position.”
He will advise Marcos and assist departments and agencies, including government-owned and controlled corporations, on matters that will improve their information dissemination programs and initiatives, said Malacañang.
Soriano earned his advertising and marketing communications degree from De Anza College in California, United States.