So which is it?
Current National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) chairman Felipe de Leon has already pointed out that Rodrigo Duterte cannot choose the next NCCA head since the position is not appointive.
Indeed, Section 9 of Republic Act 7356 (an act creating the NCCA, establishing national endowment fund for culture and the arts, and for other puposes) stipulates: “The chairman of the commission shall be elected by the members from among themselves.”
Singer Freddie Aguilar had earlier told the media that he had been appointed to head the NCCA by Duterte.
READ: Current NCCA head: Ka Freddie cannot be appointed as chairman
On Tue, Jul 19, in an interview broadcash on GMA’s Unang Balita, Aguilar continued to insist that he has been appointed as NCCA head.
Aguilar said that what he really wants to do is “create a separate department for culture and the arts.”
Aguilar stated, “Actually ibibigay niya (Duterte) ‘yung departamento,. Kaya lang sabi ng office niya sa pamamagitan ni Bong Go, ang sabi niya, ‘Sir Freddie habang wala pa po ‘yung department, puwede daw po ba ninyong pamunuan ang NCCA?’”
(“Actually, President Rodrigo Duterte will give me the department. However, his office, through Bong Go, said, ‘Sir Freddie, while the deparment isn’t there yet, would it be alright if you head the NCCA?”)
Go is the special assistant to the President. Aguilar reportedly told him, “Okay, gagawin ko ‘yan. Sino ba naman ako para tumanggi sa isang Pangulo?'”
(“Okay, I will do that. Who am I to refuse the President?”)
