Caparas, 3 others may still seek artist honors

MANILA, Philippines - Film director Carlo Caparas and three others whose national artist awards in 2009 were taken back by the Supreme Court (SC) may still seek conferment of the prestigious recognition.

The high court made this clarification in a 32-page decision promulgated last July 16 but only released last week.

The SC said that while it nullified the proclamation of Caparas, former National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) executive director Cecille Guidote-Alvarez, fashion designer Jose “Pitoy” Moreno and architect Francisco Mañosa as national artists, it does not bar them from again being nominated for the award.

“While the Court invalidates today the proclamation of respondents Guidote-Alvarez, Caparas, Mañosa and Moreno as National Artists, such action should not be taken as a pronouncement on whether they are worthy to be conferred that honor,” reads the ruling penned by Associate Justice Teresita Leonardo-De Castro.

The SC explained that its ruling only declared invalid Proclamation Nos. 1826 to 1829 dated July 6, 2009 of the Arroyo administration for grave abuse of discretion.

“However, nothing in this decision should be read as a disqualification on the part of respondents Guidote-Alvarez, Caparas, Mañosa and Moreno to be considered for the honor of National Artist in the future, subject to compliance with the laws, rules and regulations governing said award,” the SC clarified.

It pointed out that only the President, upon recommendation of NCCA and Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), has discretion to determine qualification of nominees for national artists.

The high court likewise clarified the effect of its ruling with respect to National Artists Lazaro Francisco (posthumous for literature), Manuel Conde (posthumous for film and broadcast) and Federico Aguilar Alcuaz (visual arts, painting, sculpture and mixed media) who were proclaimed along with the four as well as the exclusion of Dr. Ramon Santos (music).

“From the foregoing, the advice or recommendation of the NCCA and the CCP Boards as to the conferment of the Order of National Artists on Conde, Dr. Santos, Francisco and Alcuaz was not binding on the former President but only discretionary or optional for her whether or not to act on such advice or recommendation,” the SC stressed.