PHILIPPINES, NOVEMBER 23, 2010 – In a country where government officials seldom resign, DOT Undersecretary Vicente Romano III’s exit is a surprise to many, even to opposing voices. In a press statement, uploaded to the web and aired on cable news channel ANC this afternoon, Romano took full responsibility for the logo design and the instructions given to ad agency Campaigns & Grey, defended the borrowing of elements from other designs and apologized if this was offensive to some.
Romano maintained that the launch was a preview, though conceded that he was in a rush to get the campaign off the ground. "I now realize that a consultation process is long and arduous, and my attempt to fast-track the consultation process is one of the reasons why it failed," said Romano. He apologized to President Aquino, DOT Secretary Alberto Lim and to the Filipino people, and enjoined them to support Sec. Lim in his plans. He remains hopeful that the slogan in Filipino could work if executed properly. Romano called his resignation "irrevocable" and effective immediately. Read the entire statement here.
President Aquino has reluctantly accepted the resignation.
Earlier this week, Ellen Tordesillas claimed that that almost P5 million was spent on the campaign launch last Monday, contrary to claims that no taxpayer money has been spent.
Previously: Campaigns & Grey airs its side of the “Pilipinas Kay Ganda” story
