Frasco Defends Use of Name, Photo on Relief Goods, Says Items Are Personally Funded and Part of His Business

Cebu Fifth District Rep. Vincent Franco “Duke” Frasco defended the use of his name and photograph on relief goods distributed to victims of recent disasters in Cebu, saying the items are paid for with his personal funds and are also products sold through his private business.

Frasco issued the explanation in an interview on the “Not So Late Night Show with Jason Monteclar,” released on November 14, 2025, amid sustained criticism on social media following the distribution of Frasco-tagged rice, sardines, water, and other items after a series of calamities.

The backlash intensified during the earthquake and major flooding that left at least 108 people dead, 44 missing, and 1,365 injured across affected areas in Cebu.

According to Frasco, the goods bearing his branding do not fall under the definition of “epal,” a Filipino term used for attention-seekers or public officials who claim credit for government-funded projects. He maintained that the relief goods were not sourced from public funds.

In the interview, Frasco stated, “not a single centavo from the Government,” adding that the relief operations were shouldered by him personally.

He said the giveaways came from stocks of his own business, which regularly sells rice, water, sardines, and similar products. These items become readily available when disasters occur, he noted.

Frasco said he could substantiate his claim that the government did not fund the relief items.

Responding to Monteclar’s request for proof, he said, “Yes,” noting that he has receipts and that suppliers can confirm purchases, such as sardines from Zamboanga and water from Liloan. Monteclar referred to these as “resibo.”

The congressman also explained that his decision to place his branding on items distributed to the public began when he first entered politics. Prior to running in 2019, he said only about 8 percent of voters in the Fifth District knew who he was.

The district, historically dominated by the Durano political clan for roughly 70 years, includes Danao City and the municipalities of Borbon, Carmen, Catmon, Compostela, Liloan, Pilar, San Francisco, Sogod, and Tudela, including the Camotes Islands.

Frasco said the distribution of products carrying his name was part of a strategy to introduce himself to voters who were unfamiliar with him outside Liloan.

“Maoy madali nga magamit if there’s a calamity,” he added, referring to the practicality of using products already sold by the family business, which could be easily mobilized during emergencies.

He noted that the approach served a “two-fold purpose”: to provide assistance during disasters and to promote the products commercially when not used as relief goods.

The congressman also pointed out that the branding strategy was implemented during his first campaign, which resulted in what he described as a significant shift in district politics. In 2019, he defeated then-incumbent Rep.

Ramon Durano VI, ending the Duranos’ long-standing hold on the congressional seat. Frasco went on to win reelection in 2022 against Red Durano and secured a third consecutive term in 2025 by defeating Mix Durano.

Frasco previously served as mayor of Liloan for three consecutive terms before running for Congress.

He reiterated in the interview that the use of his name and photo on relief items should not be equated with misusing public resources, emphasizing that his expenditures were personal and that his actions did not constitute claiming credit for government-funded assistance.