DOT denies claims over Frasco magazine cover

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Tourism (DOT) has dismissed as “false and misleading” allegations by a production executive regarding the appearance of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco on the cover of a magazine published in English and Japanese.

The issue stemmed from a Facebook post by Max Abasolo, who claimed that Frasco appeared on the cover of Philippine Topics magazine despite his team having produced “236,000 photos” and “6,500 video materials” from shoots across destinations from “Region 1 to Region 13.”

Frasco’s image was shown in front of a photo of an unnamed island and beach destination.

Responding to the backlash generated by Abasolo’s post, the DOT said his allegations were “false and misleading.”

“With respect to claims made by a certain photographer, the DOT clarifies that it did not supply the photograph in question to Philippine Topics,” the agency said in a statement issued on Dec. 31, 2025.

It added, “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 DOT further stressed that it did not contract, pay, commission or direct the magazine to produce its cover or feature story.

“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 agency emphasized.

Produced by YJS Advertising and Marketing Corp., edited and printed by B-Ticket Inc. and issued by both companies, the inaugural December 2025 issue of Philippine Topics runs 82 pages.

Pages 4 to 13 feature articles on the DOT and Frasco, the Philippine Pavilion at the six-month Osaka World Expo 2025, the National Tourism Development Plan 2023-2028 and the challenges and prospects of Philippine tourism in the Japanese market.

According to the magazine, the Philippines faces hurdles in attracting more Japanese tourists, including crime, limited flight availability and the need for stronger promotional efforts, based on a Google Translate version of the Japanese text.

The DOT feature largely used photos sourced from the department, bearing its logo and the “Love the Philippines” campaign slogan as watermarks.

“Misrepresenting official acts, fabricating affiliations or implying improper use of public resources undermines public trust and misleads the public,” the DOT warned.

Abasolo has yet to respond to the DOT’s statements.