Palace: No politics in FPJ national artist award

Malacañang asked yesterday that the awarding of the national artist award to late movie icon Fernando Poe Jr. be spared any political intrigue in deference to his memory and contributions to the film industry.

"Let not this tribute of the people be given political color," Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said.

"We owe it to the memory of the late FPJ and the deserved pride and dignity of his loved ones and supporters," Bunye said.

Bunye said the exemplary contributions of the acknowledged "king" of Philippine movies, who happened to be the main rival of President Arroyo in the May 2004 elections, had always been recognized by the people.

"This award reaffirms the faith and endearment reposed on his achievement and leadership," Bunye said.

Bunye refused to comment on the statements of Poe’s widow, Susan Roces, that she would not accept the award on behalf of her late husband and that she would have preferred that a different president give the award.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said it would be up to Roces to decide how to receive the award.

Poe has been declared a national artist for his contribution to the local movie industry.

Six other people have been named national artists for their significant contributions to their respective fields.

The list of possible awardees for national artists that was released last April generated controversy after Malacañang clarified it was not yet final. Some claimed there was malice behind the hesitation and said Poe’s award might be taken back.

But Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said politics played no part in the choice of national artists and that there were only further deliberations to complete the selection of awardees for this year.

Aside from Poe who is being cited for his contributions to the film industry, the other awardees are Bienvenido Lumbera for literature; Ramon Obusan for dance; Benedicto Cabrera for painting; Ildefonso Santos for architecture; Ramon Valera for fashion design; and Abdulmari Asia Imao for sculpture.

Poe and Valera are posthumous awardees. The President issued Proclamation Nos. 1065-1071 individually declaring the seven as national artists for "preeminent achievements that have enhanced the Filipino’s cultural heritage (and) deserve the recognition and acknowledgment of our government in pursuit of its policy of preserving and developing Filipino culture and a national identity."

The President said their works and achievements were reflective of the "preeminent excellence and of the national genius that contributes to the artistic heritage of the Philippines and the world."