Palace: No comment on reason for Nora Aunor’s exclusion from Nat’l Artist list

Nora Aunor in movie ‘Thy Womb’

MANILA—Malacanang on Saturday had no comment on the reason why multi-awarded actress Nora Aunor was excluded from the list of new National Artists signed by President Benigno S. Aquino III last Friday.

It can be recalled that the National Commission for Culture and the Cultural Center of the Philippines earlier nominated Aunor as National Artist for Film.

In an interview over state-run dzRB radio, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said she refused to comment on its reason since she was not part of the deliberations for the conferment of the award.

“Unfortunately, I was not part of the deliberations with the President on the conferment of the award of National Artists,” Valte said.

The Order of National Artists was established to give appropriate recognition and prestige to Filipinos who have distinguished themselves and made outstanding contributions to Philippine arts and letters.

It is the highest national recognition given to Filipino individuals who have made significant contributions to the development of Philippine arts and letters.

Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. in a statement said that the President will confer the Order of the National Artist in an appropriate ceremony.