IN A SECOND public statement, Leyte Representative Jude Acidre renewed his criticism of the Department of Tourism (DOT), citing unresolved issues flagged by the Commission on Audit (COA) and what he described as a pattern of deflection by Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco.
“I had hoped Secretary Frasco would respond with facts and clarity,” Acidre said. “Instead, she framed oversight as a political attack. That does a disservice to the public.”
Acidre’s latest comments come weeks after his initial remarks raised concerns over the DOT’s budget performance and spending patterns. Instead of allaying doubts, he said, the department’s response only reinforced the need for deeper scrutiny.
SERIOUS CONCERNS
At the heart of Acidre’s criticism are the findings from the 2022 COA audit, which revealed questionable fund management and poor financial reporting from the DOT and its marketing arm, the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB). Among the most serious concerns:
• ₱483.8 million in unliquidated fund transfers;
• ₱618.7 million in receivables with discrepancies;
• ₱196.8 million in unused funds that were not returned to the National Treasury;
• ₱288.9 million in idle corporate funds with no stated purpose, and
• ₱4.8 million in foreign travel expenses flagged as excessive or unnecessary.
“These aren’t political talking points. They’re official audit findings,” Acidre said. “They point to systemic problems that deserve real answers—not public relations spin.”
MISLEADING NARRATIVE
Frasco had earlier touted that a ₱200 million tourism promotion budget generated ₱3.86 trillion in visitor receipts, citing it as evidence of DOT’s efficiency. But Acidre countered that this was a “misleading narrative,” explaining that the figure represented the broader tourism industry’s output and not a direct result of DOT spending.
“That number includes the work of airlines, hotels, LGUs, and even OFW visits. To present it as a direct return on promotion spending is inaccurate,” he noted.
Another area of concern, according to Acidre, is the implementation of the department’s flagship “Tourism Rest Areas” (TRAs). While intended to provide rest stops and services in key travel areas, several of these facilities were built in locations with little to no tourism traffic.
“These projects appear poorly planned and politically convenient,” he said. “Are we building for visitors—or for visibility?”
DEAFENING SILENCE
Adding to the weight of his critique is what Acidre calls a “deafening silence” from the administration itself. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who previously held the tourism portfolio under his economic team, made no mention of tourism in his recent State of the Nation Address.
“That omission is telling. It invites the question: Is the DOT truly delivering the impact we expect from such a vital agency?” he asked.
Frasco has since suggested that proposed budget cuts to the DOT were politically motivated. But Acidre quickly dismissed the claim, pointing out that her husband, Cebu Representative Duke Frasco, sat as Deputy Speaker during the budget deliberations.
“If the budget was unfair, why didn’t he object?” Acidre asked. “The facts don’t support the narrative that this is political targeting.”
The lawmaker emphasized that his critique was not an attack on tourism workers or the sector itself. In fact, he said, it was the opposite.
“Our tourism frontliners, entrepreneurs, and local partners deserve a department that leads with competence and vision,” he said. “Framing oversight as an insult to them is a form of misdirection. The issue is management, not the mission.”
AMPLE OPPORTUNITY
With the 2026 budget hearings approaching, Acidre said Secretary Frasco will have ample opportunity to defend her agency’s performance before the House.
“Those deliberations are the proper forum—not social media, not press statements,” he said. “If the DOT is confident in its performance, it should welcome scrutiny, not evade it.”
For now, Acidre’s stance remains firm: the public deserves clear answers, transparent records, and a tourism agency that spends wisely and delivers measurable results.
“Tourism is a key driver of jobs and growth. But to truly support the industry, we must first ensure that it is managed with integrity,” he said. “As the President said: ‘Mahiya naman tayo.’ It’s time for leadership marked by humility and accountability—not defensiveness.”
