Palace dismissive of Oscar-shortlisted documentary

Malacañang has dismissed the inclusion of “The Nightcrawlers,” a National Geographic documentary tackling the administration’s bloody war on drugs, in the short list for the short subject category in the 92nd Academy Awards.

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said judgment “on a particular movie or film is based on certain criteria, not necessarily the truth … Some win but it’s not true, so I don’t think it has any relevance.”

The documentary features a group of Filipino journalists, including former Inquirer photographer Raffy Lerma, covering and following President Duterte’s war on illegal drugs. The final list for the Oscars will be announced on Jan. 13, 2020.  —JULIE M. AURELIO‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍