BSP declines custody of Marcos paintings

By: Marlon Ramos - 10 years ago

This file photo taken on June 7, 2007 shows former first lady Imelda Marcos is seen in her apartment in Manila with a gallery of paintings including a Picasso, seen at upper right. Philippine authorities moved on September 30, 2014 to seize paintings by Picasso, Gauguin, Miro, Michelangelo and other masters held by Imelda Marcos after getting a court order against the former first lady. AFP/ROMEO GACAD

MANILA, Philippines—The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on Friday refused to be the custodian of the expensive artworks by the “Old Masters” which were ordered seized by the Sandiganbayan from the Marcos family.

Appearing before the antigraft court’s Special Division, BSP acting director Regina Mercedes Cruz disclosed that only 11 of the 15 world-renowned paintings appeared to be authentic “at first glance.”

Cruz also submitted a judicial affidavit and stated that the art pieces had been kept inside “Compartment No. 12,” a highly-secured vault of the BSP’s currency management subsector.

The paintings were turned over to the BSP on Sept. 30 after they were seized by court personnel led by Sandiganbayan acting sheriff Albert dela Cruz.

Among those confiscated by the court sheriff were three similar “Madonna and Child” paintings by Michelangelo; “Femme Au Chapeau,” “Paysage,” “Jeune Femme En Rouge,” “Coupe De Fleurs,” five “Vase De Fleurs,” “Panier De Fleurs” and “Jeune Femme Shabilant” by Paule Gobillard; and a Picasso replica brass strokes.

Cruz, who is in-charge of keeping the collection of paintings, sculptures, numismatics and other art pieces deposited in the BSP, said she immediately examined the paintings and prepared a report.

When asked about the condition of the vault where the artworks are being kept, she said the condition of the storage area was “neither suitable nor ideal for paintings.”

“Given the fluctuation in temperature and relative humidity in the (vault), the present condition of the paintings will most likely worsen in six months and will affect their market value,” Cruz said in her affidavit.

She said the materials of the paintings would “continually react to changes in temperature and humidity.”

“A stable environment for paintings would be a constant temperature of 20 degree Celsius and a relative humidity of 40 percent and 55 percent. These conditions are not present in Compartment No. 12,” she explained.

If the government wants to protect the paintings, she said it was “necessary to transfer them to another storage compartment with conditions that are more suitable for its proper preservation and care.”

Citing Cruz’s affidavit, the BSP said it could not “vouch for the authenticity and genuineness of the 15 paintings.”

Besides, the BSP said it did not have a conservator to ensure that the paintings would not deteriorate.

“Considering the foregoing circumstances, the BSP respectfully moves that it be relieved from its responsibility and liability as ‘custodian’ or ‘depository’ to preserve and take care of the paintings,” the BSP said.