Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 4) — A group of Cebu public officials signed a manifesto in support of Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco, claiming that the “Love the Philippines” fiasco is a form of “sabotage” and “demolition job” against her.
“Given the circumstances, it is not difficult to see that the goal of all this is to sabotage the great accomplishments of the Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary, who continues to deliver for the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.,” the manifesto read.
The officials, including 11 representatives and 53 provincial mayors, also asserted that the criticisms directed at the campaign and the errors in the promotional video is a “demolition job” against Frasco.
“We maintain that this barrage of criticisms in social and mainstream media is aimed at destroying neither the DOT nor the concerned private advertisement agency, but Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco herself,” it said.
“We strongly believe this demolition job to be perpetrated by individuals with their own questionable agenda, perhaps to sway the trust and confidence of President Marcos in a Cebuana,” it added.
The manifesto also said that Frasco is an “asset” to the Marcos administration and ranked second as top performing cabinet official next to Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. in a recent survey.
The officials further tagged the criticisms as “patent mudslinging,” “dirty politicking” and “black propaganda” against Frasco.
The DOT is investigating the “Love the Philippines” campaign video after netizens pointed out that “non-original shots” of locations outside of the country were used in the video.
Frasco earlier told CNN Philippines’ The Source that the DOT spent ₱49 million for the “Love the Philippines” campaign.
Source: CNN Philippines | July 4, 2023 | 6:50:41 AM
