Over delay in pulpit panels’ return: Governor Garcia mulls charges vs NMP execs

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia is planning to meet Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma to discuss the next action needed to return the four pulpit panels owned by the Patrocinio de Maria Santisima Parish in the town of Boljoon, southern Cebu.

The National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) currently possesses the panels after they were donated by private individuals and has said they will return it to Boljoon once it is restored.

But after still not seeing the pulpit panels, Garcia is considering taking legal action against officials of the NMP.

She previously asked the Archbishop through intermediaries to give her special power of attorney (SPA) to take legal actions against officials of NMP before the court, since these panels are considered property of the Archdiocese.

“I think we have to have a formal sit down with the Archdiocese para we really really have a united stand, because even as we are karon lang, more than just a religious item, that is part of our heritage,” Garcia said.

The governor invoked section 16 of the local government code, giving her authority as head of an LGU to take actions to protect the heritage and culture of the province.

“…but as to the latest feedback, sila na pud ang mo sue. Sila na pud kuno, kami na lang pakihaon sa uban pa… I don’t think that will work,” Garcia said.

“We will call that meeting with the Archdiocese. I hope Archbishop Palma will be available. I’d like to hear it directly from him,” Garcia told members of the media during her live press conference at her office on January 3.

In the press conference, the governor criticized the NMP anew, led by its director Jeremy Barns, for still not returning the said pulpit panels.

“I think it’s just pride gyud nila noh. You can’t even recognize the fact nga national museum na, ikaw head diha, (if) you can’t even recognize how to respect heritage, cultural heritage, then I don’t know what you are doing in that job.” Garcia said.

She reminded officials of NMP that these religious artifacts have not yet been deconsecrated, reiterating that those who continue to possess these panels are committing sacrilege.

“This was not donated by the Catholic church to them. This was donated by an entity who cannot prove that they own this. How can you donate something that you do not own?  It is not because you paid money for this that you say you own, unless there is permission,” Garcia said.

She also pointed out Presidential Decree 1612 or the Anti-Fencing law, which states that those who buy, receive, possess, or sell stolen items will be just as liable as thieves.

On May last year, the Archdiocese of Cebu and officials of NMP had a meeting and agreed that the said pulpit panels will be returned to Cebu.

In a report by The Freeman in August last year, Barns assured the Cebu officials that the religious artifacts will be returned to Cebu once the restoration process will be completed.

Barns said the restoration process would start on October and will last for 12 weeks.

The NMP had already asked P30 million from the national government for the said restoration works.

Once it's done, the pulpit panels will be returned to Cebu with - “grand homecoming”.

The said pulpit panels are owned by Boljoon church, but during the late 1980s , these 19th-century old panels featuring the image of Saint Agustine of Hippo, were stolen and went unknown for how many years, until it resurfaced last year when NMP unveiled it as among their collection of religious artifacts. — (FREEMAN)