HR 1309 : INQUIRY INTO THE CONTROVERSY SURROUNDING THE NATIONAL ARTIST AWARDS
Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

FOURTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 1309
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Introduced by Rep. Teodoro A. Casiño and Rep. Raymond V. Palatino
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A RESOLUTION
DIRECTING THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON BASIC EDUCATION AND CULTURE TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY INTO THE CONTROVERSY SURROUNDING THE NATIONAL ARTIST AWARDS

Whereas, the recently concluded National Artist Awards has triggered an outrage from numerous concerned artists over the manner in which President
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (GMA) invoked her “presidential prerogative” in naming four additional awardees, and dropping one nominee from the four artists that were originally recommended by the duly designated selection committee;

Whereas, this move by the President is seen by many as a blatant disregard of the rigorous deliberations made by the selection committee composed of representatives of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP);

Whereas, the CCP pointed out that while the President has the prerogative to add her own awardees, the selection committee was never consulted about the final choices, nor was it officially informed about them. The fact that the specific limits of this presidential prerogative are not clearly stated leaves it open to possible abuse of authority and political accommodation which only serves to undermine the integrity of the awards;

Whereas, the reported existence of a mysterious “honors committee” in Malacañang that was responsible for the additional awardees, and dropping of one nominee appears to have defeated the very purpose for which a selection committee for the National Artist Awards was created;

Whereas, in view of the scandal, and in order to help ensure that the National Artist Awards remain esteemed and beyond reproach, it is important to determine the limits of the so-called presidential prerogative in this instance and to review the qualifications and selection process of the National Artist Awards;

Whereas, the issue has also brought to the fore the need to determine whether or not it is better to institutionalize the selection process for the awarding of national artists through legislation in order to avoid more confusion and controversies in the future;

Now, be it resolved as it is hereby resolved, that the House direct the Committee on Basic Education and Culture to conduct an inquiry into the controversy surrounding the National Artist Awards.

Adopted,

(signed) REP. TEODORO A. CASIÑO
Bayan Muna

(signed) REP. RAYMOND V. PALATINO
Kabataan Party

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