Senators want CCP officials to resign over art exhibit

At least three senators on Tuesday asked the officials of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) to resign for allowing an art exhibit that allegedly offends Roman Catholics to be displayed in its premises. Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, and Senate Majority Floor Leader Vicente "Tito" Sotto III made the call even after the CCP closed down the main gallery where the "Kulo" art exhibit is on display. "Hinihiling ko na dahil sa kapabayaan ng mga board of directors ng Cultural Center of the Philippines na busisiin at suriing mabuti ang sinumang nagnanais na magpa-exhibit sa kanila, silang lahat na dapat ay magbitiw sa kanilang tungkulin simula sa araw na ito," Estrada said in a privilege speech delivered before the Senate plenary on Tuesday afternoon. "They ought to be fired from their job... That kind of exhibit was never envisioned by those who created the CCP," said Enrile during the same Senate session. In an interview with reporters, Sotto said the CCP officials failed in their duty to safeguard the cultural heritage of the country when they allowed the display of an exhibit that allegedly desecrates various images of Jesus Christ. "[The] Office of the President should look into this matter," he said. Hindi pwedeng baliwalain nila o hindi sila magsalita." Enrile and Sotto said they recognize the right of artists to express themselves, but that these artists must also "respect the sensibilities of the people around them" and that the CCP is not the venue for such exhibits. "We are 50 percent Catholic and 85 percent are Christian. An apology is in order, especially to those who were offended, to those whose religious belief is desecrated, an apology is in order, no less," said Sotto. On Monday, Sotto also sought to cut the funding for the CCP should it fail to justify allowing the exhibit to be displayed inside its premises. The Senate has referred the matter to its committee on education, arts, and culture for investigation. - KBK, GMA News