FPJ now National Artist for film

President Arroyo has signed a presidential proclamation officially declaring the late actor Fernando Poe Jr (Ronald Allan Kelley Poe in real life) as National Artist for his outstanding achievement in film, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita announced Wednesday. President Arroyo signed Presidential Proclamation 1069 on May 23 declaring Poe, her closest rival during the last elections, as one of seven National Artist laureates for 2006. The six others are Bienvenido Lumbera (Literature), Ramon Obusan (Dance), Benedicto "BenCab" Cabrera (Visual Arts), Ildefonso Santos Jr (Architecture) and Ramon Valera (Fashion Design). The National Artist category, created under Proclamation No. 1001 dated April 27, 1972, is aimed at recognizing and acknowledging the achievements that have enhanced the Filipino's cultural heritage. A national artist is bestowed a medallion, 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. In naming Poe a National Artist, Malacañang said: "The works and achievements of the late Ronald Allan K. Poe a.k.a. Fernando Poe Jr in the field of Film are reflective of this preeminent excellence and of the national genius that contributes to the artistic heritage of the Philippines and the world." The award for Poe had been the subject of a controversy after President Arroyo's critics accused her of allegedly using the issue to woo the political support of Poe's camp. Poe was a bosom friend of former President Joseph Estrada. Ermita expressed confidence Poe's widow Susan Roces and other relatives and supporters to be "decent enough" to accept the award. Mrs. Arroyo won over Poe during the May 2004 presidential elections by a margin of about one million votes. Poe's supporters and other critics of Mrs. Arroyo have alleged that the late actor was cheated of victory. The actor-turned-politician died of a stroke, only several months after the bitterly contested elections, in December 14, 2004, at the age of 65.-GMANews.TV