Frasco out of DOT, given presidential advisory role
Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco was relieved of her role on Thursday, March 12, by President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and reassigned as presidential adviser for sustainable and resilient communities.
In a statement, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Frasco's new role will focus on localizing climate-related national programs.
"As many areas across the country face increasing climate-related hazards and disruptions that affect local economies and livelihoods, the president has tasked Secretary Frasco to take on this role to help strengthen the implementation and sustained follow-through of priority national initiatives at the community level," Castro said.
She added that the President appreciates Frasco's service toward the country's tourism efforts.
"The President expressed his appreciation for her service at the Department of Tourism and conveyed confidence that her experience working closely with local governments and communities will continue to support the administration's priorities," Castro said.
Speculations about Frasco's shaky role in DOT began circulating in late 2025 when she was questioned about her seemingly self-promoting tactics through DOT's marketing materials.
In December, the tourism department came under fire after a photographer called it out on a now-deleted social media post for using Frasco's image on the cover of the magazine Philippine Tropics instead of one of the hundreds of photos he was commissioned to take of Philippine tourism spots.
Soon after, Frasco spoke out about the issue, saying, "I did not pay for that magazine. No government funds were used for that magazine. And my consent was never obtained in the use of my image for that magazine," she said. Frasco later added that she directed an immediate investigation following the publication.
On Feb. 3, Sen. Raffy Tulfo called out Frasco during a Senate Committee on Tourism regarding her photo being included on the cover of a free magazine distributed in Japan, as well as her image on a tarpaulin at the Boracay airport.
"Parang lumilitaw na ikaw ay nagiging vlogger na. It will not sell 'pag doon sa mga marketing materials natin, puro mukha mo ang nakalagay doon. It shouldn't happen," Tulfo said. He added that rather than Frasco's image, tourism materials should show Philippine sceneries, such as the Tabon Cave in Palawan.
In response, Frasco said she gave no orders regarding the installation of the tarpaulin.
"I did not direct the putting up of that tarpaulin... Nonetheless, when this matter was brought to light, we actually ordered all of our regional offices, including Region 6, to take down any offending material [that] bears my image," she said.
As of writing, Frasco has not given a statement regarding her new assignment.
