Jaehwa Bernardo

Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File

Article (news)

Palace plays coy on appointment of new tourism secretary

Katrina Domingo

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177329803742020241217-dot-year-end-report-MD-3.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco. <em>Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA <strong>(2ND UPDATE) </strong>— The Department of Tourism will get new leadership after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed current head Christina Frasco his adviser on sustainable and resilient communities.</p><p>Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro told Palace reporters Marcos Jr. has tasked Frasco with helping strengthen implementation of &quot;priority national initiatives at the community level&quot; to help address climate-related hazards and disruptions.</p><p>The Palace said the department will be “temporarily headed by an officer in charge, Undersecretary Verna Buensuceso.” </p><p>Castro added Marcos Jr. appreciates Frasco&#x27;s service at DOT and is confident “her experience working closely with local governments and communities will continue to support the Administration&#x27;s priorities.”</p><p>Frasco&#x27;s new appointment comes amid speculation that she is being replaced and amid criticism of the tourism sector&#x27;s performance.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>PALACE COY ON FRASCO&#x27;S FATE EARLIER THURSDAY</strong></div><p>Malacañang earlier Thursday to confirm reports that Frasco was set to exit the Marcos Jr. Cabinet, saying no appointment paper had been released yet.</p><p>When asked if Special Trade Representative to Tokyo Dita Angara-Mathay was set to replace Frasco, Castro said an announcement on that might come on Friday.</p><p>“Hindi po ako makapagbibigay sa detalye sa ngayon. Hindi pa nagbibigay ng papel,” she said, referring to official appointment papers issued to newly installed government officials.</p><p>“Hindi ko puwede unahan kung ano ang magiging anunsyo ng Pangulo,” she said.</p><p>“Let’s see baka mamaya,” she added.</p><p>Reports of another Cabinet revamp have been circulating since late 2025, with public attention zeroing in on the tourism department earlier this year after Frasco was criticized for allegedly using her post to promote herself.</p><p>Frasco directed regional offices to remove all tourism-related materials that featured her image.</p><p>“The accusation is that I&#x27;m very visible because I wish to promote myself. But could there perhaps be room for the argument that I&#x27;m very visible because I&#x27;m simply working? Nothing else,” she previously said.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO: </strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ta7dxUxuFls?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><strong></strong><br/></div>

<p>The Department of Tourism will get new leadership after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed current head Christina Frasco his adviser on sustainable and resilient communities.</p>

The Department of Tourism will get new leadership after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed current head Christina Frasco his adviser on sustainable and resilient communities.

Frasco replaced as DOT chief, given new post

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Frasco replaced as DOT chief, given new post

Katrina Domingo,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 12, 2026 02:54 PM PHT

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Updated March 12, 2026 07:26 PM PHT

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Malacañang

Marcos Cabinet

Department of Tourism

Christina Frasco

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