Senate panel to start probe on CCP exhibit Tuesday

The Senate committee on education, arts, and culture will begin on Tuesday its inquiry into the controversial art exhibit at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) that allegedly offends Roman Catholics. In an interview with reporters, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada said they want the CCP officials to explain why they allowed the art exhibit "Kulô" be displayed inside its premises. "I would like them to explain why it was exhibited in the CCP and if indeed that particular art piece is an art. Cause I don’t see any art there in defacing the image of Jesus Christ. I think they need to do a lot of explanation," he said. Estrada was referring to Poleteismo, a mixed media installation by Mideo Cruz that gained notoriety for juxtaposing religious images with phallic symbols. Estrada said if Cruz appears on Tuesday, he said they will ask him why he chose to use Jesus Christ in his pieces. "Naguguluhan ako, ang dami-dami namang imahe, bakit ang Panginoong Hesukristo pa ang ginawan niya ng ganoon. Doon lang ako nagtataka." "Freedom of expression is not absolute. It has its certain limitations. He must remember that," he added. Estrada, along with Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and Senate Majority Floor Leader Vicete Sotto III, had earlier asked the CCP officials responsible for the exhibit to resign. The CCP has since closed down the gallery where the exhibit was featured following the furor over the all - Kimberly Jane Tan/KBK, GMA News