History cannot be sold, says Tolentino
Presidential Adviser for Political Affairs Secretary Francis Tolentino on Monday stressed that historical artefacts of the Philippines “should be beyond the commerce of men,” saying that they are owned by the Filipinos.
The comment came after Leon Gallery sold last Saturday the “personal flag” of Katipunan founder Andres Bonifacio for a jaw-dropping R9.3 million, nine times the floor price of R1 million.
“Bakit po ibebenta at pagkakakitaan ang isang malinaw na bahagi ng ating kasaysayan (Why would a clearly important part of our history be sold for a profit)?” Tolentino said, adding that there should be a law that makes the sale of historical items illegal.
Tolentino urged the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) to file a case to void the sale of the flag.
“Yung Bonifacio flag na may tatak na 1896 ay dugo po ng ating mga kababayan ang ginamit para makamtan ang kalayaan (That Bonifacio flag marked 1896 bears the blood of our countrymen in the pursuit of freedom),” Tolentino said. “Kung gagawin namang isang 'consumer product' yung bandila na bahagi ng ating kasaysayan ay para namang isang pag-alis ng pag-galang sa pinaglaban ni Gat Andres Bonifacio (If that flag, a part of our history, is to be treated as a consumer product, it’s like disrespecting what Andres Bonifacio fought for).”
The Leon Gallery sale was also a weekend of fierce bidding for other arti facts associated with Bonifacio and the Katipunan.
The Decalogue with Bonifacio’s only surviving photo, Katipunan membership documents and paraphernalia, as well as a rare brass medallion worn by members of the Katipunan supreme council were sold for R2.7 million, R818,000, and R876,000, respectively.
Other historical documents and art pieces related to the Luna brothers Antonio and Juan, Jose Rizal, Josephine Bracken and Emilio Aguinaldo, among others, were also auctioned off at dumbfounding prices.
Tolentino said the items should be placed in the care of the National Museum instead of private individuals to make the artifacts more accessible to the public, especially the youth.