Palace issues proclamation confirming National Artist award for FPJ

 

In Proclamation No. 435, dated July 20, 2012, President Benigno Aquino III, through Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., affirming Poe's stature as a National Artist.

 

“Pursuant to the authority vested in me by law, I, Benigno Aquino III, President of the Philippines, do hereby confirm the declaration of Ronald Allan K. Poe a.k.a. Fernando Poe Jr. (Posthumous) as National Artist as conferred in Proclamation No. 1069, dated May 23, 2006,” the statement read.

 

In November 2010, Poe’s family said it was willing to accept the National Artist award under the Aquino administration, after rejecting the honor during the term of Aquino’s predecessor, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

 

Poe, who died in December 2004 following a stroke, was conferred a posthumous National Artist award in 2006 by Mrs. Arroyo, now representing Pampanga's second district in the House of Representatives.

 

However, Poe’s widow, actress Susan Roces, refused to attend the conferment rites because of a grudge against the former Philippine leader.   

Mrs. Arroyo defeated Poe in the 2004 presidential polls. Poe then claimed that he was cheated by the Arroyo camp.

 

It was reportedly the first time the family of a posthumous awardee rejected the honor. — Gian C. Geronimo/RSJ, GMA News