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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Frasco orders removal of her image from all DOT materials

Frasco orders removal of her image from all DOT materials

Published Feb 4, 2026 02:52 pm

At A Glance

  • DOT Secretary Frasco orders removal of her image from all department materials.
  • Regional offices instructed to stop producing similar content.
  • LGUs asked to refrain from using her photo in tourism promotions.
Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco speaks at the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum on February 4, 2026. (Screenshot from Facebook Live)
Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco speaks at the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum on February 4, 2026. (Screenshot from Facebook Live)
Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco on Wednesday, Feb. 4, directed the removal of all materials bearing her image and told regional offices to stop producing similar content following criticism that the materials were seen as "self-promotion."
Frasco said the move aims to prevent controversy and keep the focus on tourism issues, emphasizing that she never authorized the display of her photo.
“I have already issued an order—as far as we are concerned to the DOT—to take down any material that may bear my image, and to not produce any material that may bear my image,” Frasco said during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum.
She added that local government units (LGUs) would also be asked to refrain from using her photo in tourism promotions.
Frasco described the issue as a distraction from more pressing national concerns.
The controversy came to light during a Senate Committee on Tourism hearing, where Senator Raffy Tulfo highlighted slides showing magazines and promotional materials with Frasco’s image, stressing that tourism campaigns should focus on destinations rather than officials.
Frasco dismissed the allegations, explaining that her visibility stems from her work, not self-promotion.
“The accusation is that I am very visible because I wish to promote myself, but there may be room for the argument that I am very visible because I’m simply working—nothing else,” she said.
She also clarified she has no plans to run for any national post, calling claims of self-promotion “unfounded.”
Frasco underscored that DOT operates separate corporate and marketing platforms to ensure transparency while promoting Philippine destinations and products.

Related Tags

DOT Christina Garcia-Frasco tourism promotions LGUs Self-promotion controversy
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