Malacañang: No penalties over 'blasphemous' art exhibit
By GENALYN D. KABILING
August 10, 2011, 7:01pm
MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang is not inclined to dismiss the entire board of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) for approving an allegedly blasphemous art exhibit but expects it to review guidelines to avoid a similar uproar.
Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda likewise affirmed that the Palace has no plans to penalize the artist behind the artwork that offended the beliefs of the country’s Catholic majority since it would be tantamount to censorship.
Lacierda even appealed to the critics of the CCP, especially those resorting to violence, to end their attacks since the art exhibit has already been closed and the board was reminded about their responsibility. He said President Aquino has made his position clear to the CCP board that it should be more sensitive in using taxpayers’ money for art exhibits that offend the majority of Filipino Catholics.
“There is no directive from the President to remove the board. I think what the President said was very clear. He is not after censorship but just to remind the board that this is not art for art’s sake. We have to remember we are using taxpayers’ money for this exhibit,” he said in a Palace news conference.
“We expect them to review their policies and avoid a similar situation what we’ve seen,” he said.
President Aquino had earlier chastised the CCP board for allowing the art exhibit that insulted Catholic beliefs. Aquino admitted that he was insulted by the artwork that desecrated Jesus Christ and other Catholic symbols.
Several groups have demanded the resignation of the CCP board over the blasphemous art exhibit while others plan to file cases against the artist.
Prior to meeting with some CCP board members last Monday, the President received text messages about the supposed blasphemous art exhibit at the CCP, Lacierda said.
The President’s staff went to the exhibit to get information and reported back to him. Upon seeing the artwork, Lacierda said the President was offended by the depiction of Jesus Christ in the exhibit. Lacierda called on people threatening the CCP board to stop their personal attacks and instead join sober debates about freedom of expression.
“These are constitutional issues that can be discussed at a higher level rather than getting personal at recoverythe members of the board,” he said.
He added that the government is ready to provide additional security for the CCP board and the Center following reports of threats.
Meanwhile, the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ (CCP) Public Relations and Linkages Division as well as the Office of Visual Arts confirmed the resignation of CCP Visual Arts Director Karen Flores.
“We are not privy to the reason she resigned, but we are aware that she already filed her resignation Tuesday night,” Raul Asis of the Public Relations Division told Manila Bulletin.
However, Vergie Ramoso, Culture and Arts officer in the Visual Arts Division, said Flores’ resignation has yet to be approved by CCP President Raul Sunico.
“She came to our office this morning but she didn’t mention anything about her resignation,” Ramoso said.
Flores’ resignation came a day after the closure of the controversial ‘Kulo’ exhibit that offended Catholic beliefs and prompted a reprimand from President Aquino.
Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile had also ordered an investigation into the management of the CCP. Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada called for the resignation of the CCP board members who were responsible for the exhibit.
Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III threatened to starve CCP of budget because the CCP is supported by public money, thus part of the General Appropriations Act (GAA).
(With a report from Jacky Lynne A. Oiga)
