Palace keeps distance from 'blasphemous' art exhibit
By Willard Cheng, ABS-CBN News
Posted at 08/08/2011 6:24 PM Updated as of 08/08/2011 6:24 PM
MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang is keeping its distance from the controversial art exhibit at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, which showed religious icons allegedly defaced with phallic symbols.
"The CCP board decided on this matter independent of Malacañang. I think we should not be involved in a matter that is purely a decision made by CCP and this is about art," Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said.
Asked if the CCP board would be asked to explain, Lacierda said "we're not there yet." The Palace also distanced itself from calls for the CCP board to resign.
Lacierda said the Palace would be interested to know the results of the CCP's reported consultations with the art and religious sector.
"I think as in any appointments made by the President, whether it's a board from the CCP or whether it's a GOCC or whether it's cabinet secretaries, the President has empowered these people to act on their own; to do whatever they feel is the proper thing to do. Again, we do not have a hand in the decision of CCP and so it's something that we are also looking into," Lacierda said.
