Over Boljoon pulpit panels:Capitol readies cases vs NMP

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu provincial government is preparing four initial cases against the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) for still not returning the four pulpit panels to the Archdiocesan Shrine of Patrocinio de Maria Santisima in Boljoon, Cebu.

In a press conference yesterday, Governor Gwen Garcia confirmed that Archbishop Jose Palma has given her the Special Power of Attorney (SPA) so that the Capitol can file a case against NMP, particularly its director general Jeremy Barns.

The charges include a violation of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, Anti-Fencing Law, Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and further violations of the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009.

Barns will also be facing accusations related to the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

“As soon as possible, we will be filing charges against Barns,” said the governor.

But the filing of cases by Garcia is not only limited to Barns but also other parties involved in the illegal possession of the four pulpit panels reportedly stolen from the Archdiocesan Shrine of Patrocinio de Maria Santísima in Boljoon, Cebu.

The panels, which were taken in the 1980s, were later donated to the NMP by art collectors Edwin and Aileen Bautista in 2024.

The governor said that charges will also be filed against the Bautista couple.

In a formal document signed by Palma, Garcia was authorized to pursue civil and criminal charges.

The panels, which depict key religious figures such as St. Leo the Great and St. Thomas of Villanueva, were part of a larger set that was removed from the Boljoon church.

Garcia said that despite multiple requests from the Archdiocese, the Municipality of Boljoon, and the Cebu Provincial Government, the NMP has failed to return the panels.

Garcia’s decision to intervene follows her authority under the Local Government Code of 1991, which empowers local government units to preserve and promote cultural heritage.

The provincial government is committed to ensuring the return of the stolen panels to their rightful location in the Boljoon church, a vital cultural and religious site.

The Department of Tourism, through Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco, has also called for the return of the panels.

In a letter to the NMP, Secretary Garcia-Frasco dated January 8, 2025, she expressed her support for the Archdiocese, the Cebu Provincial Government, and the Municipality of Boljoon, urging the immediate return of the panels.

“I understand that the Boljoon panels are currently undergoing restoration as part of a conservation plan. I would like to request more detailed information regarding the timeline for the restoration process, including the intended date for the National Museum of the Philippines to retum the panels to the Boljoon Church,” says Secretary Frasco in her letter dated January 8, 2025 addressed to NMP chairperson of the Board of Trustees Andoni Aboitiz.

The governor said that the “ongoing restoration” of the stolen pulpits should be stopped.

The governor cited the letter of Palma to Barns dated July 25, 2025 that endorsed counter-proposals, including status quo, or for the Boljoon Pulpit Panel-I to remain where it is, and will not be taken out from the Archdiocesan Shrine of Patrocinio de Maria in Boljoon.

It also noted for the repair/restoration of Panel-1 including B4 to commence only if a MOA has been entered into by both parties covering the terms and conditions of the repair/restoration, and specifically indicating that the RCAC's consent to the repair/restoration shall not be construed as abandoning its claim of absolute ownership of all the five panels.

The letter also proposed the repair and restoration of Panel- including B4 shall be done at the Archdiocesan Shrine of Patrocinio de Maria in Boljoon, Cebu.

The letter added that to implement the above proposals, an on-site restoration laboratory will be set up by the NMP at the Archdiocesan Shrine of Patrocinio de Maria in Boljoon, Cebu.

The letter said that this is also an opportunity for NMP to train the locals, preferably the parish museum staff, or person/s recommended by the parish or the archdiocese.

“This transfer of knowledge will equip the Parish Museum Management with technical knowledge on restoration procedures for local artifacts and cultural assets,” the letter added.

From July 25, 2024 up to yesterday, there has been no reply from Barns, Garcia said.

To recall, a meeting between the Archdiocese and the NMP in May 2024 discussed the possibility of loaning the panels for restoration, but concerns from local stakeholders, including the Parish Priest and the Parish Pastoral Council of Boljoon, led to the rejection of the proposal.

The Archdiocese asserted ownership over the panels and suggested alternative solutions, such as on-site restoration at the Archdiocesan Shrine and the establishment of a restoration laboratory for local staff training.

The legal proceedings will continue as the Archdiocese, local government officials, and stakeholders work to recover the stolen artifacts and address the ongoing issue of cultural preservation in the province.

Five pulpit panels were lost from Boljoon Church, four are in the National Museum, and one is still missing.

The governor also urged the possessor of the missing panel to return it to the Archdiocese of Cebu or to the Capitol in a confidential manner.

The governor has assured the possessor that no legal action will be taken if the lost panel is returned. — (FREEMAN)

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