"Bawat award na ipinanalo n'ya, hindi lang dito, sa ibang bansa, sana alam ninyong lahat na bitbit ng nanay ko, itinaas ng nanay ko hindi lang 'yong sarili n'ya, kundi ang buong Pilipinas. Kayong lahat kasama," a sobbing Matet told ABS-CBN News.
The superstar's name was included in the list of nominees submitted to the Malacanang Palace by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP). The NCCA and CCP screen the nominees for National Artists, before making the list from where the President will pick the individuals to be honored with the award.
According to reports, Nora's name was removed from this year's awardees due to presidential discretion that allegedly has something to do with Nora's previous drug case in the United States.
Don Rapadas, convenor of the Nora Aunor for National Artist Movement, has previously said that the CCP has already explained the drug issue and that the actress was even admired because she admitted to the crime and has underwent rehabilitation and community service. Furthermore, an individual's personal life isn't in the criteria for choosing national artists.
"Maraming nagsasabi na hindi naman 'yong pagiging santa, hindi naman do'n binabase [ang pagpili], di ba? [Kundi] sa performance n'ya sa naiambag niya dito sa industriya natin," Matet explained.
She also added that her mother doesn't deserve to be insulted.
"Kung ayaw n'yong bigyan ng award, 'wag n'yo na lang bastusin," she said.
Meanwhile, NCCA chairman Felipe de Leon, Jr. released a statement regarding the matter, saying they are willing to review the process of proclamation and that the selection of National Artist should only be based on things related to the person's artistic accomplishments.
"The Commission is prepared to review the processes of proclamation and formulate policies to strengthen procedure and to ensure that the determination of who finally gets the title of National Artist is free from political influences and elements unrelated to artistic accomplishments."
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