Raffy Tulfo calls out DOT’s Frasco for ‘self-promotion’ in tourism materials

Senator Raffy Tulfo on Tuesday criticized Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco for allegedly highlighting herself—rather than tourist destinations—in some tourism promotion materials.

During a hearing of the Senate Committee on Tourism, Tulfo presented slides of magazines and other materials in which photos of Frasco were prominently featured.

“I’m very sorry, Secretary Frasco. Parang lumilitaw na parang nagiging vlogger na kayo. (It seems like you’re turning into a vlogger.) It will not sell if the marketing materials are filled with your face. It shouldn’t happen,” Tulfo said.

Citing a magazine circulated in Japan, Tulfo said the material was a "missed opportunity" to promote Philippine tourism abroad.

“For example, there’s this magazine in Japan. I think it’s a free publication. It was supposed to be an opportunity to showcase our tourism industry in Japan," he said.

"Instead, it’s you who appears—just you, even during the groundbreaking ceremonies,” the senator added.

Tulfo said he had received complaints alleging that Frasco was promoting herself through tourism materials.

He stressed that the Department of Tourism should focus more on showcasing destinations, food, wellness, and Filipino culture rather than personalities.

In response, Frasco said she did not give consent for the use of her image in the magazine and stressed that no government funds were used to publish the material.

“My understanding is that the photo used on the cover was lifted from the coverage of a particular event, and the contents of the magazine were all lifted materials,” Frasco said.

“These were not the product of interviews conducted with me, because there were none.”

Frasco said she has no reason to engage in self-promotion, as she has no plans to seek a national post in the 2028 elections.

“I completely hear you, Senator, and I’m grateful that you brought these matters to light. I have tried to be as present as possible in our destinations and for our stakeholders. That is the extent of the duty that I have exercised—nothing more,” she said.

“I have no national ambition and I am not running for any national position in 2028. Any accusation of self-promotion would therefore fall flat,” she said.

Tulfo countered that he was not accusing Frasco of preparing for a national electoral run.

“I am sorry, ma’am, I am not saying that you are running. Don’t put words into my mouth. What I’m saying is that people notice what appears to be self-promotion, for whatever reason," he said.

"In other countries like Vietnam, Korea, Malaysia, and Japan, you don’t see the faces of their tourism secretaries in promotional materials,” Tulfo added.—MCG, GMA Integrated News