Sumagot ang Department of Tourism (DOT) sa talak ng isang umano'y photographer tungkol sa cover page ng umano'y libreng magasin kung saan makikita ang kalihim ng ahensiya na si Christina Frasco.
Sa isang opisyal na pahayag ng DOT nitong Miyerkules, Disyembre 31, binigyang-linaw ng ahensya ang dalawang bagay kaugnay ng "false and misleading claims" na kumakalat online.
Ayon sa DOT, ang Philippine Topics—na naglathala ng pinag-uusapang libreng magasin—ay isa raw private publication at hindi opisyal na magasin ng ahensya.
"Philippine Topics is a private publication and not an official magazine of the DOT. The Department did not contract, pay, commission, or direct the magazine to produce its cover or feature story. The content, including the selection of images and text, was produced entirely at the magazine's editorial discretion," saad ng ahensya.
Mga hindi maipuputok na paputok, isuko na lang sa awtoridad!—PNP
Giit pa ng DOT, "The DOT did not provide any photographs, interviews, guidance, or funding for the feature. 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."
Sinagot din ng ahensyang pinangungunahan ni Frasco ang talak ng umano'y photographer ng viral magazine.
"With respect to claims made by a certain photographer, the DOT clarifies that it did not supply the photograph in question to Philippine Topics," anang DOT.
"At no time did the Department instruct, select, approve, or endorse any photograph for the magazine. 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."
Pagbibigay-diin pa ng ahensya, "The Department views the dissemination of these false claims with serious concern. Misrepresenting official acts, fabricating affiliations, or implying improper use of public resources undermines public trust and misleads the public.."
"The Department of Tourism remains steadfast in its commitment to transparency, accountability, and the ethical promotion of Philippine tourism, and condemns the propagation of false and misleading information."
Matatandaang nag-viral ang Facebook post ng nagngangalang "Max," kung saan tila ipinahayag niya ang umano'y pagkadismaya sa naging disenyo at nilalaman ng cover, matapos umano silang magsagawa ng malawakang photo at video documentation para sa DOT sa iba’t ibang rehiyon ng bansa.
