Uh-oh, there’s trouble in art paradise!
The Commission on Audit has uncovered what could be a massive PHP19.9-million scam involving the National Museum — and it’s wrong on so many levels.
According to this Philippine Daily Inquirer report, in a 2015 COA report released only recently, state auditors discovered that restoration of a PHP400-million Carlos “Botong” Francisco 10-panel mural was awarded to “a general construction contractor with no known expertise in art conservation” in 2013.
The company in turn allegedly hired five of the National Museum’s own art restorers, who may have received double compensation for their unfinished work.
The restoration project was halted several weeks after it started, according to COA, who found the work “abandoned” in a restricted section on the museum’s third floor.
For its part, the National Museum noted in a formal reply to COA that “the main phase of the work of art was completed in 2015” — and it was merely waiting for the mural’s “transfer to and installation in a permanent location to be approved by all concerned parties.”
It also denied hiring its own art conservators to work on the project.
The 10-panel mural by National Artist Carlos “Botong” Francisco was painted in 1964 and had been on display at the Manila City Hall before being sent to the museum for restoration because of water damage.
