The word war between Tingog Rep. Jude Acidre and Tourism Secretary Cristina Frasco has not yet simmered down, with the lawmaker urging the Cabinet member on Friday to respond with “facts” and “clarity” instead of framing it as pure political attacks.

Acidre advised Frasco to refrain from “deflecting” the legitimate questions about the DOT’s performance, particularly whether it effectively spends public resources, citing previous reports by the Commission on Audit, flagging some of the agency’s spending.

“No agency, no matter how vital its role, is exempt from scrutiny. Oversight is not an attack—it’s a responsibility. And when the President himself made no mention of tourism in his State of the Nation Address, that silence is worth noting. It invites the question: Is the Department of Tourism truly making the impact we expect of it?” the solon asked. 

The feud between the two ensued after Acidre and another administration lawmaker—House Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega—took a swipe at the DOT on Wednesday, criticizing its “underwhelming performance.” 

The lawmakers, both close allies of Speaker Martin Romuadez, insinuated that the absence of tourism from President Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation Address last week signals the need for the agency to step up, saying it’s “not delivering.” 

Frasco, in response, said she was puzzled about the timing of their “attacks,” suggesting that it may be linked to her show of support for her husband, Cebu Rep. Duke Frasco’s, independence in the House. 

Earlier, Rep. Frasco declared himself independent after abstaining from reelecting Romualdez as Speaker of the 20th Congress despite him serving as one of his deputies in the 19th Congress.

The move, however, no longer came as a surprise because, as early as May, the lawmaker had already made clear that he wouldn’t back Romualdez’s bid and refused to sign a manifesto, citing “shared frustrations” and “deep disappointment” under Romualdez’s leadership. 

What partisan?

Responding to Secretary Frasco’s rebuttal, Acidre on Friday asserted that the DOT chief Frasco mistook legitimate questions about public performance for partisan attacks, and that framing “congressional oversight as an insult to [DOT] workers is misdirection.”

The lawmaker also took exception to the DOT chief’s assertions that Congress slashed the agency’s promotional budget for two consecutive years, which could have helped the DOT compete with those of other Asian countries. 

In the 2024 budget, Secretary Frasco said the original budget for the promotion was P1.2 billion, but Congress cut it by 83 percent, leaving the agency with merely P200 million. Under this year’s budget, Congress even cut it in half, or P100 million, she added. 

Citing a 2022 COA report, Acidre reminded Frasco that the DOT and its marketing arm, the Tourism Promotions Board, only obligated “65.32 percent of their allocated funds, with P396.346 million in obligated funds left unpaid by year-end.”

He said the COA also flagged the DOT over P483.812 million in unliquidated fund transfers, which were spent for “completed programs with no clear documentation or reports.”

As for the “unfair” budget cut, Acidre pointed out that Rep. Frasco could have raised the issue during the budget deliberations, given his key position as deputy speaker. Nonetheless, he said Secretary Frasco has all the opportunity to defend her proposed funding in the upcoming deliberations for the 2026 budget in the House.

“That is the proper forum—not social media, not grandstanding statements,” Acidre averred.

The 

Daily Tribune has already reached out to Secretary Frasco for comment, but has yet to receive a response as of press time.