President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s choices for National Artists are still questioned by critics with ongoing protests for the removal of the four out of the seven announced names. The seven choices were Magno Jose “Carlo” J. Caparas (National Artist for Visual Arts and Film), Federico Aguilar Alcuaz (National Artist for Visual Arts, Painting, Sculpture and Mixed Media), Manuel Urbano (goes by the name Manuel Conde) (National Artist for Film and Broadcast), Lazaro Francisco “Bobby” Mañosa (National Artist for Literature), Cecil-Guidote Alvarez (National Artist for Theater) and Jose “Pitoy” Moreno (National Artist for Fashion Design), recommended by the National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA).

The four personalities in question are Francisco Manosa, Cecil Guidote-Alvarez, Carlo J. Caparas and Jose Moreno. A move was made to ask the Supreme Court to halt the awarding of the title of Order of National Artist to those mentioned because of varying reasons. Some of those who were against the conferment were National Artists Bienvenido Lumbera, Napoleon Abueva and a few others.

The argument was that President Arroyo has gone against proper proceedings by inserting the names of Caparas, Alvarez, Manosa and Moreno. Most especially, Alvarez was pointed out as unqualified to be on the list as she is part of the NCCA as an executive director – the sector that basically chooses those who should be recommended as a National Artist together with another organization.

The petition stated that from the original 87 nominees, discussions were conducted by the NCCA together with the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) trimming the list down to 13. The final deliberation produced four names that excluded Caparas, Alvarez, Moreno and Manosa. However, when the announcement was made for the roster of new National Artists, the four names have appeared and one name from those recommended was removed.