Following negative posts circulating online targeting Department of Tourism (Department of Tourism) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco toward the end of 2025, the agency issued a statement rejecting claims that it promoted the secretary by placing her photos on a magazine cover instead of highlighting the country’s tourist destinations.

“Philippine Topics is a private publication and not an official magazine of the DoT. The Department did not contract, pay, commission, or direct the magazine to produce its cover or feature story,” she said.

One controversial post claimed: “Because instead of focusing on the scenic destinations and tourist arrivals, our Department of Tourism focuses on promoting Christina Frasco na para bang siya ang pinakamagandang tourist spot ng bansa.”

The DoT clarified that the content of the magazine, including the selection of images and text, was produced entirely at the editorial discretion of Philippine Topics.

“The DoT did not provide any photographs, guidance, or funding for the feature. Philippine Topics independently covered activities related to World Expo Osaka 2025 and used its own coverage in their magazine. Any claim suggesting that the Department or the Secretary used public office or resources for personal promotion is false, misleading, and expressly denied,” the DoT said.

Addressing claims made by a photographer, the department also clarified that it did not supply the photograph in question to the magazine.

“At no time did the Department instruct, select, approve, or endorse any photograph for the magazine. Any implication that the DoT chose or favored the use of an image of the Secretary over destination-focused materials is entirely false and without factual basis,” the agency said.

The DoT added that it views the spread of what it called false claims with serious concern.

“Misrepresenting official acts, fabricating affiliations, or implying improper use of public resources undermines public trust and misleads the public. The Department of Tourism remains steadfast in its commitment to transparency, accountability, and the ethical promotion of Philippine tourism, and condemns the propagation of false and misleading information,” the DoT said.