Palace respects views of Nora supporters

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang avoided yesterday a confrontation with protesters and critics over the exclusion of superstar Nora Aunor from the list of National Artists proclaimed by President Aquino.

In a text message, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said: “We acknowledge and respect the views of the arts and culture community.”

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda saw no grave abuse of discretion when Aunor’s name was stricken off the list.

The prerogative rested with Aquino, although the recommendation of  the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the Cultural Center of the Philippines  had a “persuasive nature,” he added.

Aquino acted within the prerogative as laid down by the law, Lacierda said.

Speaking over radio dzRB on Monday, Coloma said Aquino’s choice of this year’s National Artists was based on national interest.

“We are certain that his decision was based on what will best serve the national interest because the Order of the National Artist gives recognition to those who excelled in the arts and letters, and embodied the goodness and nobility of the Filipino people,” he said.

It was Aquino’s choice whom to name National Artist, Lacierda said on Monday.

F. Sionil Jose, who was named National Artist for Literature in 2001, said in refusing to name Aunor National Artist, Aquino demolished the validity of the major cultural workers, some of them National Artists themselves, who included her in the list forwarded to Malacañang.

Aunor deserved the award, but Aquino supposedly opposed this because she was once convicted of drug abuse, he added.