Palace open to making Fernando Poe Jr national artist

Malacañang said on Tuesday that if the National Commission on Culture and Arts (NCCA) recommends the late presidential candidate Fernando Poe Jr. to be National Artist for film, chances are President Arroyo would approve the recommendation. Presidential Chief of Staff Michael Defensor said that Palace officials have high regard for the late actor’s contributions to the film industry. “I think Mr. Fernando Poe Jr. deserves respect and recognition. If and when the NCCA decides that he is the winner, then definitely we have to confer to him that as an artist and stalwart not only in showbiz but in the arts and culture of the country," Defensor said. He said, however, that the process of selection should not be tainted with any political color because “even before, the President and the Cabinet members believe that Fernando Poe Jr. is one of the deserving candidates for the national artist award." Defensor did not confirm nor deny reports that Poe is among seven candidates for national artist. The others who were reportedly chosen by the Council of Peers are Ramon Valera, design; Benedicto Cabrera ("BenCab"), visual arts; Bienvenido Lumbera, literature; Natividad Crame Rogers, theater; Ildefonso P. Santos, architecture; and Ramon Obusan, dance. The NCCA will submit the names to Mrs. Arroyo for approval, and the new national artists would be accorded the honors in June. A national artist is conferred a medallion and citation, P100,000 cash net of taxes, monthly life pension, medical and hospitalization benefits, life insurance coverage for awardees who are still insurable, a place of honor at state functions, national commemoration ceremonies and other cultural events, and arrangements and expenses for a state funeral. –GMANews.TV