1 month ago
22
CEBU CITY — The provincial government of Cebu is now preparing to press civil and criminal charges against National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) director general Jeremy Barns for the museum's continued retention of four "stolen" pulpit panels from the Nuestra Señora del Patrocinio de Maria Santísima Parish Church in Boljoon, Cebu.
Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia announced on Monday that the charges would include violation of the Anti-Fencing Law, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009.
Barns faces additional accusations for failing to comply with ethical standards under the Code of Conduct for Public Officials.
Garcia said that the provincial government, together with the Archdiocese of Cebu and the Municipality of Boljoon, had consistently appealed for the return of the pulpit panels but had been met with inaction from Barns, leaving them no alternative but to pursue legal action.
"So, the province of Cebu, recognizing its role as a steward and protector as well of the culture and heritage of our people, I already decided, which I told the Archdiocese representatives, that we will be filing the appropriate charges." the governor said in a press conference at Cebu Provincial Capitol.
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The stolen panels, depicting saints such as St. Augustine of Hippo and St. Thomas of Villanueva, were taken from the church in Boljoon in the 1980s and donated to the NMP in 2024 by private collectors Edwin and Aileen Bautista.
Garcia confirmed that the Bautistas would also face legal charges for possessing the stolen artifacts.
Retired police officer Archimedes Villanueva, who had previously filed a report about the theft, affirmed the stolen status of the panels.
Legal battle
Archbishop Jose Palma had authorized Garcia via a Special Power of Attorney to represent the Archdiocese in their efforts to recover the stolen panels.
According to Garcia, their long wait of unanswered demands for their return had led to this decisive action.
It was reported that the Archdiocese had sent letters to Barns in July 2024, suggesting on-site restoration at the Boljoon Church and the creation of a local restoration laboratory.
These proposals, however, received no response from Barns. Unilateral restoration efforts initiated at the National Museum drew criticism from Garcia and other stakeholders.
Garcia said that the panels carried profound historical and spiritual value for Boljoon.
She also remarked that these panels were central to Cebu's cultural and religious heritage and underscored the provincial government's responsibility to protect such irreplaceable artifacts.
Push for accountability
Garcia noted that Barns had failed to respond promptly to letters and resolutions passed by the Boljoon Municipal Council and the Cebu Provincial Board.
These resolutions were issued to formally request the return of the panels and to address alleged violations of laws protecting cultural heritage.
Lawyer Rory Jon Sepulveda, legal consultant for the provincial government, pointed out that the charges against Barns would encompass not only possession of stolen property but also unauthorized restoration work, which violated protocols for handling national heritage items.
Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco, also a member of the NMP Board of Trustees, had reportedly joined the call for greater accountability, requesting details about the restoration process and its adherence to agreements with local stakeholders.
Garcia reiterated a standing offer to facilitate the safe return of the fifth missing panel, assuring that no legal action would be taken against anyone returning it confidentially to either the Archdiocese or the provincial government.
She stressed that the issue extended beyond legalities and was a matter of honoring Cebu's heritage, ensuring future generations' connection to their cultural identity.
Boljoon's local leaders, cultural advocates, and the broader community await developments in the case, which they view as crucial in safeguarding Cebu's historic and religious legacy.
