Gordon criticizes DOT under Aquino govt

Senatorial hopeful and former Tourism secretary Richard Gordon on Wednesday criticized the Department of Tourism (DOT) under President Benigno Aquino III for supposedly spending millions on advertising campaigns. Gordon said that during his term as Tourism chief from 2004 to 2010, he did not spend a single cent to come up with the “WOW Philippines” campaign. “Ako ba ay gumamit ng P6 million para sa mag-hire ng ad agency na mag-iisip ng ‘It’s More Fun in the Philippines’? Iyan ang ginawa ng administrasyon,” he said at a sortie in Tagbilaran City, Bohol. Gordon was referring to the country’s latest tourism campaign “It’s More Fun in the Philippines,” which was launched last year under the Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez’ watch. GMA News Online was still trying to reach Jimenez and other DOT officials to get their comments on Gordon’s statement as of posting time. Last year, the Philippines breached four-million mark in terms of tourist arrivals—the highest ever in history. Gordon also criticized the Aquino administration for supposedly wasting millions for the much-criticized ad campaign called “Pilipinas Kay Ganda” in 2010. The campaign was scrapped after drawing flak for supposedly being copied from Poland. “Ako ba ay gumamit ng P9 million para sa ‘Pilipinas Kay Ganda’ para lang sabihin na, oh, huwag kayong maingay, baka malaman ni PNoy na kinopya?” Gordon said.  He also told a crowd of Boholanos that their province should be highlighted more as a major tourist destination. — Andreo Calonzo/KBK, GMA News