Christina Frasco, Tinanggal na sa DOT — Reassigned as Presidential Adviser
After months of controversy, Christina Garcia-Frasco has been removed as Secretary of the Department of Tourism. Malacañang confirmed the shake-up on Thursday, March 12, with Frasco being reassigned as the new Presidential Adviser for Sustainable and Resilient Communities. Undersecretary Verna Buensuceso will serve as officer-in-charge of the DOT in the meantime.
The Palace framed the move as a strategic reassignment, saying President Marcos tasked Frasco to help strengthen national initiatives at the community level as the country faces increasing climate-related hazards. Pero for many observers, the writing has been on the wall for some time.
Frasco, a former mayor of Liloan, Cebu, had been drawing heavy criticism in recent months. The DOT under her watch failed to hit its own tourist arrival targets. Worse, the department’s social media campaigns became a running joke — featuring Frasco’s own face more prominently than actual Philippine destinations. Critics labeled it ‘self-promotion over nation promotion.’
The tourism department’s magazine features and promotional materials were flagged for putting the secretary front and center, prompting netizens and media to question whether the campaigns were really about attracting tourists or building a political brand. It became one of the most memed government controversies of the year.
With Buensuceso now at the helm, the DOT faces the challenge of rebuilding credibility and refocusing on its core mission: making the Philippines a world-class tourist destination. Whether this shake-up leads to real reform or is just another game of musical chairs in Malacañang remains to be seen. Source: Rappler
