Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco told a Senate committee that the many photos of her in public places are work‑related. She said the images show her doing official duties, not seeking personal fame.

The comments came after Sen. Raffy Tulfo questioned the Secretary during a hearing on Tuesday. Tulfo said he had seen many pictures of Frasco in tourism‑related material. He showed a photo taken at an airport and another at Lake Sebu. He said the public had complained about the repeated use of her image.

Frasco answered that the pictures are “work photos” taken during official activities. She said they have been turned into “memes” by some online users. “My visibility as Secretary of Tourism has not been about personal exposure, but about being present where the work is—on the ground, in communities, and alongside tourism stakeholders,” she said.

She noted that she has traveled to all regions of the country. She added that she has visited 56 of the Philippines’ 82 provinces in the last three years. Her trips focused on tourism recovery, infrastructure, workforce upskilling, and destination promotion.

Frasco explained the Lake Sebu photo. She said it was taken during the Philippine Experience Program. The program is a flagship DOT initiative. It brings ambassadors, partners, and tourism stakeholders to destinations. The goal is to promote local culture, communities, and tourism products. She said the activity was meant to highlight South Cotabato’s tourism potential, not to promote any individual.

The Secretary also defended the use of a feature in the Philippine Topics magazine. She said the magazine is independent. The DOT did not fund, commission, or influence the editorial work.

When asked if her actions were politically motivated, Frasco rejected the claim. “I am not running for any national position in 2028 and therefore there would be no reason for me to promote myself,” she said.

Frasco offered to give Tulfo’s office more documentation. She said the DOT can share records of promotional initiatives that do not feature her image. She added that the agency continues to market Philippine destinations despite a limited budget.

She thanked Tulfo for raising the issue. “It allowed the department to clarify the facts in the interest of an informed public discourse,” she said. Frasco said the DOT remains focused on rebuilding livelihoods and strengthening Philippine tourism.

Under Frasco’s leadership, the Philippines topped ASEAN in tourism‑generated GDP for 2025. The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) reported a tourism GDP of USD 91.8 billion. Tourism accounted for 19.9 percent of the country’s economy, according to the WTTC.

Tourism also supports a large share of jobs. The sector employs about 11.22 million Filipinos. That is 23.0 percent of total national employment. The Philippines has the second‑largest tourism workforce in ASEAN, behind only Indonesia.

The Senate hearing highlighted the tension between public perception and government outreach. Frasco’s statements stress that her visibility is tied to on‑the‑ground work. She says the department’s focus is on destination promotion, not personal branding.

The debate may continue as the tourism sector seeks to recover from pandemic‑induced disruption. The DOT plans to keep traveling across the archipelago. It aims to showcase more destinations and sustain the jobs tourism provides.

The story underscores the importance of transparency in government communication. It also shows how officials respond to scrutiny from lawmakers and the public.