DOT chief Frasco still has Marcos trust after ‘stock video’ mess

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. answered yes when asked if Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco still enjoyed his trust after a controversy over the recently launched "Love the Philippines" campaign.

In an interview, Marcos was asked if still trusted Frasco.

"Yes, absolutely. No question," Marcos said. "I spoke to her... Nakita ko naman mabilis ang galaw niya."

"She terminated the contracts that were in question," Marcos said.

The "Love the Philippines" campaign was thrust into a controversy last week after it was found that a video related to the tourism promotion used foreign stock footage.

Marcos said Frasco had the situation under control, adding that she knew what to do to address the issue.

He said that Frasco had placed in review the other contracts of the DOT.

"She has also since then put under review all of the other contracts that were in the pipeline," Marcos said.

"She has it under control, she knows what to do, what she has done so far inspires confidence that she will fix the problem and that the campaign of 'Love the Philippines' will be as successful as we hope for it to be," she added.

Frasco said the DOT would keep the tourism slogan ''Love the Philippines'' despite the flak it drew over the promotional video of the campaign wherein foreign stock footage was used by the advertising firm.

The DOT on Monday said it was ending its contract with DDB Philippines—the advertising firm behind the country’s new tourism campaign.

Thie agency had admitted using non-original stock footage in its audiovisual presentation on the Philippines' new tourism campaign.

The DOT said DDB Philippines violated the terms under the tourism branding campaign contract.

“As DDB Philippines has publicly apologized, taken full responsibility, and admitted in no uncertain terms, that non-original materials were used in their AVP, reflecting an abject failure to comply with their obligation/s under the contract and a direct contravention with the DOT’s objectives for the enhanced tourism branding, the DOT hereby exercises its right to proceed with termination proceedings against its contract with DDB," it said in a statement.

The DOT said it would exercise its right to forfeit performance security as a result of default in obligations under the contract, "as well to review standards of performance or lack thereof vis-a-vis any claims for payment and/or any other engagement." —NB, GMA Integrated News