COA calls out PCGG for deterioration of Marcos paintings
The COA report said most of the sequestered artworks of the Marcoses housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila were already slightly damaged or have scratches, while six paintings that should have been at the Malacañang Antique Houses were missing. Philstar.com/File photo
MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Audit (COA) has called out the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) over the deterioration of some of the high-value paintings that the agency sequestered from the Marcos family.
In its 2016 audit report recently published on its website, the COA said most of the sequestered artworks of the Marcoses housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila were already slightly damaged or have scratches, while six paintings that should have been at the Malacañang Antique Houses were missing.
“Measures to preserve and protect sequestered assets are not in place resulting in missing, faster deterioration and damage of artworks, contrary to the powers and authority of the agency provided in Executive Order No. 1 dated February 28, 1986,” the COA report read.
Created by the late former president Corazon Aquino in 1986 though Executive Order No. 1, the PCGG is tasked to recover the ill-gotten wealth of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos Sr., his family, relatives and cronies, whether in the Philippines or abroad.
The COA pointed out the PCGG under EO No. 1 is tasked not only to recover the ill-gotten wealth of the Marcoses but also to “prevent their destruction, concealment or disappearance which would frustrate or hamper the investigation.”
The COA noted that the paintings found to be in deteriorating condition are still subject of a civil case before the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan.
Yugoslavian Naifs paintings
The COA said that during the inventory of the artworks conducted from May 31 to June 3, 2016, state auditors noted that the Yugoslavian Naifs paintings consisting of 191 pieces were stored in one-layer and two-layer wood racks at the basement of the Metropolitan Museum.
The auditors said that though these paintings are still relatively in good condition, they are susceptible to further damage as most of them already have dented glass covers and damaged backing tapes infested with bugs, cockroaches and molds.
At least six of the paintings have no glass cover while one painting has cracks on the print surface.
Russian Iconography
Meanwhile, state auditors said the Marcoses' collection of Russian Iconography paintings consisting of 117 pieces “are not in good condition”.
“It was noted that most of the paintings have scratches, chip offs and dents on the frame; some paintings have holes in the backing tape due to cockroach chewings and woodbugs (bukbok) infestation,” the COA report read.
The COA said it was also “noticeable” that some of the paintings are already fading due to absence of glass casings and frames.
The report said that molds and fungi were also observed in some of the paintings “due to moisture” as the paintings “were just placed on the floor leaning against the walls.”
Further, the COA said three of the paintings included in the 2008 inventory list cannot be located.
Italian Mosaics
The COA said the Italian Mosaic paintings consisting of nine pieces were likewise not in good condition as most of their frame have scratches and chip offs. Like the Russian Iconography collection, the Italian Mosaic paintings were also placed on the floor.
As to the 207 Russian lacquerwares, the auditors said their varnish coating “had moistened due to the humid temperature in the storage room” resulting to stuck lids.
Artworks at Malacañang Palace
Meanwhile, the state auditors said the 17 artworks/paintings found at the Malacañang Antique Houses are all in good condition. The auditors, however, noted that six more paintings reported in the 2012 inventory as “missing” were still not located during last year's inventory.
The COA recommended to the PCGG to coordinate with the Metropolitan Museum and the Malacañang Antique House for “an investigation regarding the unlocated items and to produce the same.”
The audit body further instructed the PCGG to issue Property Acknowledgment Receipts (PARs) for the Metropolitan Museum artworks “to establish and determine the persons responsible and accountable thereof.”
Lastly, the COA said the PCGG must perform regular maintenance check to ensure that the items were properly stored and are in good condition; “and, if feasible, coordinate/consult with the museum’s experts on possible restoration on the framings/paintings/artworks stored thereat to prevent further deterioration and damage.”
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