“Nakaminus ni sila nato?” (Are you looking down on us?)
Governor Gwen Garcia addressed this question to the officials of the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP), particularly its Director-General Jeremy Barns who has been “arrogantly disregarding” the sentiments from Cebu in relation to Boljoon’s stolen pulpit panels that are in its possession.
The Archdiocese of Cebu, legal owner of the pulpit panels; as well as the Provincial Government of Cebu and the Municipal Government of Boljoon have been in unison in demanding that NMP return to Cebu the panels, for these have been acquired by NMP illegally on account of their being stolen from Boljoon’s Patrocinio de Maria Church.
Despite these clamor, NMP went on ahead and conducted “restorative works” on the 19th century panels, contravening the intention of Archbishop Jose Palma that the Archdiocese and NMP enter into an agreement before any restoration can be done.
Among others, the archbishop wished that the restoration be done in Boljoon under the watchful gaze of Cebuano heritage enthusiasts who will benefit from the transfer of knowledge as well as safeguard the authenticity of the panels.
However, all these were unheeded by Barns who proceeded with the restoration, disregarding the will of the good Archbishop of Cebu.
“Why the need to do restoration in the secrecy of wherever these works are being done, without any witness from any of us? Nakaminus ni sila nato?” Gov. Gwen said during a media conference on January 13 at the Capitol.
She said without anyone from Cebu supervising the restoration works on the antique panels, no one can stop the public from insinuating that the NMP is trying to duplicate the panels to be able to keep the originals to itself.
“Kon naa moy buhaton ani (panels), naa unta mi mga testigo para di mi makaingon nga naghimo-himo mo og lain nga maoy inyong i-turn over. Makaduda ba, very suspicious actions. To say the least, disrespectful, insulting to the Archdiocese and to the Cebuanos,” she said.
“We have had enough, Mr. Barns. We will not take this lying down. I will leave no stone unturned until justice will be given to the Cebuanos,” she added.
After securing a Special Power of Attorney from the Archbishop Palma, Gov. Gwen said the Capitol will be filing not just civil but criminal charges as well against Barns. | JMT
Read a separate report on the possible charges here: https://www.cebu.gov.ph/sugbonews/story.php?id=885