COA questions P5-million grant for OFW musical

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Audit (COA) is questioning the granting of P5 million in financial assistance to the making of the Filipino musical “Emir” by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP).

Emir, a musical directed by Chito Roño, tells the story of Amelia, an Ilocana contracted to serve a sheik’s wife but ends up being the nanny of the boy prince.

In a report, the state auditors said the film should not have been granted financial aid because it was not entirely filmed in the country.

“(The) FDCP Film Fund shall be available only to Filipino film producers, preferably for the production of 35mm feature films to be shot mainly in the Philippines where at least 90 percent of the cast and crew shall be composed of Filipino actors and craftsmen,” COA said.

Citing the review of the production and marketing budget for the film, COA noted that the musical was shot in Ilocos, Manila, Pampanga and Morocco.

It said that because the musical “was not mainly shot in the Philippines” and violated the provision in Permanent Committee Resolution of the Department of Finance, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and COA dated Nov. 15, 2006.