President Ferdinand Marcos still fully trusts Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco despite the tourism campaign controversy.
“Yes, absolutely. No question,” the President said unequivocally when asked by reporters if Frasco still enjoys his trust despite the issues hounding the Cebuana tourism chief in light of the “Love the Philippines” campaign.
“Nakita ko naman, mabilis ang galaw niya. She terminated the contracts that were in question,” he added.
Sec. Frasco immediately conducted an investigation and terminated the contract with the ad agency that produced the video after netizens pointed out that the tourism video used stock footage taken from other countries,
Sec. Frasco maintained that no government fund was spent or will be spent for the production of the video — which the erring ad agency corroborated.
“She has it under control, she knows what to do, and what she has done so far inspires confidence that she will fix the problem, and the campaign of the ‘Love the Philippines’ will be as successful as we hope it to be,” President Marcos said.
President Marcos is the highest and most important government official to have spoken a word of support and encouragement for the embattled DOT chief who is on the receiving end of a well-coordinated attack and demolition job.
At least 8 senators, led by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, have released statements of support affirming their trust in Sec. Frasco. Other senators included Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda, Senator JV Ejercito, Senator Sonny Angara, Senator Pia Cayetano, Senator Jinggoy Estrada, Senator Bong Go, and Senator Robin Padilla.
The Chinese and Filipino business communities in Cebu and Mandaue City have also expressed their support to the embattled secretary including Cebu’s tourism stakeholders as well the hotels, resorts and restaurant associations in Cebu
Cebuano officials have also Sec. Frasco’s back. Eleven (11) Congressmen, 5 Component City Mayors, 44 Municipal Mayors, as well as the tri-city mayors of the City of Cebu, Mandaue, and Lapu-Lapu, including the PCL Federation President — all serving the united One Cebu Island, declare their full and unwavering support to Sec. Frasco through a Manifesto signed on July 3. | Ioannes P. Arong