Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco (PNA file photo)
MANILA – The Department of Tourism (DOT) has confirmed that its chief, Secretary Christina Frasco, would be on leave for a week starting July 13 but clarified it was planned way before the launch of the new tourism campaign.
In a statement, the DOT said Frasco would also attend the 2023 State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on July 24.
“Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco filed her leave application on May 9, 2023. This was approved by the Office of the President on May 23, 2023,” the department said.
“The purpose of the short leave beginning July 13-21, consisting of only seven working days, is to spend time with her young family. She is confirmed to attend the SONA. Any insinuation to the contrary is false.”
Undersecretary Elaine Bathan will serve as acting secretary during this period.
Frasco’s leave came days after the controversy surrounding the “Love the Philippines” promotional video surfaced in early July.
DDB Philippines, the advertising agency tapped to conceptualize the rebranding campaign, had publicly apologized and took full responsibility for the use of stock footage shot from foreign destinations in the “Love the Philippines” audiovisual presentation.
The ad agency explained that the video in question was “intended to be a mood video to excite internal stakeholders about the campaign.”
On July 3, the DOT announced its decision to terminate its contract with DDB. (PNA)
