Frasco Orders Removal of Her Image From Tourism Materials After Senate Scrutiny

Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco has ordered the removal of her face from official tourism promotion materials, following public criticism and pointed questioning during a Senate hearing.

The directive comes after Senator Raffy Tulfo raised concerns that Frasco’s image appeared too prominently in government-funded tourism campaigns—blurring the line between destination promotion and personal visibility.

In response, Frasco clarified that she never intended to promote herself, and emphasized that her presence in earlier materials was part of her role as tourism secretary visiting destinations and engaging stakeholders. Still, acknowledging public perception, she ordered the immediate removal of her image to avoid further controversy.

The move is widely seen as an optics reset—an attempt to refocus tourism campaigns squarely on the Philippines itself, rather than on officials.

“This is about the country, not about me,” Frasco said in essence, as she reiterated that she has no plans to run for national office and remains focused on her duties at the Department of Tourism.

The issue underscores a recurring challenge in modern governance: balancing visibility with restraint. In an era dominated by visuals and social media, even routine documentation of official work can be perceived as branding—especially when public trust is fragile.

For the administration of Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the episode serves as a reminder that public perception matters as much as policy. Swift corrective action, such as Frasco’s directive, can help de-escalate controversies before they harden into political narratives.

Whether the move will fully quiet critics remains to be seen. But for now, the message from the tourism department is clear: the spotlight belongs to the destinations—not the officials.