Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco has ordered the removal of any Department of Tourism (DOT) materials bearing her image and directed regional offices to stop producing similar materials, following criticism raised during a Senate hearing over alleged self-promotion.
Frasco made the announcement on Wednesday during a Kapihan sa Manila Bay briefing, a day after Sen. Raffy Tulfo questioned what he described as the widespread appearance of her photos in tourism-related materials.
Tulfo said the practice appeared to focus more on promoting the tourism chief than highlighting the country’s destinations and attractions.
Addressing the issue, Frasco clarified that several materials cited during the Senate tourism committee hearing were not official DOT promotional materials but welcome tarpaulins installed by local government units (LGUs) during her visits to different areas.
Still, she said she had taken steps to ensure that both DOT offices and LGUs refrain from displaying her image in tourism-related materials.
“In terms of my name and likeness appearing in our destinations, as was taken up by Sen. Tulfo yesterday, these are welcome materials, I suppose, for when I visit LGUs (local government units),” Frasco said.
She added that she had already issued clear instructions within the department.
“So, actually, just so you know, I have actually issued an order for our regional offices, as far as we are concerned in the DOT, to number 1, take down any material that may bear my image; number 2, to not produce any material that may bear my image,” she said.
Frasco also said she personally appealed to LGUs to stop putting up tarpaulins bearing her name or likeness, stressing that the matter should not distract from the department’s core mandate.
“I will not be less for it because I’m not running anyway,” she said.
The tourism chief emphasized that the DOT operates under two distinct communication profiles, which she said may have been conflated in the public discussion.
According to Frasco, one profile is corporate in nature, where the department reports on its activities, programs, and projects, including those involving the tourism secretary as the agency’s head.
The other profile focuses solely on marketing and the promotion of destinations and tourism products.
The corporate profile, she said, functions similarly to the official communication platforms of other government agencies that regularly document the work of their officials.
Meanwhile, marketing platforms are intended exclusively to highlight tourist destinations and experiences.
“I don’t know why these platforms are being muddled together, but there has always been a distinction between both,” Frasco said.
She directly rejected allegations that her visibility in official activities was driven by political ambition or self-promotion, noting that she has no plans to run for national office.
“The accusation is that I’m very visible because I wish to promote myself, but could there perhaps be room for the argument that I’m very visible because I’m simply working and nothing else?” she said.
“The accusation of self promotions falls flat in the face of the fact that I’m not running, because I’m not running for any position. That’s it,” she added.
Despite the controversy, Frasco said the DOT remains open to public and legislative scrutiny of its tourism campaigns and communications.
She maintained that the department has consistently prioritized the promotion of Philippine destinations, products, and experiences, in line with its mandate.
“Because we are fully confident of the fact that we have not wavered on the obligation to promote,” Frasco said.
The issue surfaced amid ongoing discussions in Congress about the use of government funds for tourism promotions, as well as broader concerns about the proper use of official platforms by public officials.
Frasco said the steps she has taken demonstrate her commitment to keeping tourism campaigns focused on destinations rather than personalities, while ensuring transparency and accountability within the department.
She did not indicate whether the DOT would issue further guidelines for LGUs regarding welcome materials during official visits, but reiterated that her directive applies to all DOT regional offices nationwide.
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