Palace defends selection of national artists

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang invoked yesterday presidential prerogative in conferring the National Artist award on filmmaker Carlo J. Caparas.

Commenting on the petition of a group of National Artists, Solicitor General Agnes Devanadera said the list submitted by the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) was not binding on President Arroyo.

“She can affirm, disregard or modify the recommendation submitted by the two boards,” read the comment.

“Since the law clothes the President with the power to confer the award, such conferment must be understood as necessarily carrying with it ample discretion to decide who to award.”

Devanadera said the addition of Caparas, Cecille Guidote-Alvarez, Jose “Pitoy” Moreno and Francisco Manosa in the final list of National Artist awardees was not contrary to law.

In 1997 and 1999, Carlos Quirino (historical literature) and Ernani Cuenco Sr. (music) were proclaimed National Artists without undergoing the selection process, she added.

Devanadera said the inclusion of the four was recommended by the Committee on Honors, which was created through Executive Order 236to assist the President in evaluating nominations submitted by the NCCA and CCP.

“Contrary to petitioners’ allegations, the President took the NCCA-CCP Board’s advice, together with the recommendations of the committee on honors, into consideration in eventually declaring private respondents as national artists,” read the comment.

“Notably, the award of the Order of the National Artist is the exclusive prerogative of the President.”

Devanadera said the naming of Alvarez is allowed under the rules since she was nominated by the committee on honors, not the NCCA and CCP. – Edu Punay