PRESIDENTIAL Adviser for Political Affairs Secretary Francis Tolentino stressed yesterday that historical artifacts of the Philippines “should be beyond the commerce of men,” saying that they are owned by the Filipinos.
He made the comment after Leon Gallery sold last Saturday the “personal flag” of Katipunan founder Andres Bonifacio for Php9.3 million, nine times the floor price of Php1 million.
“Bakit po ibebenta at pagkakakitaan ang isang malinaw na bahagi ng ating kasaysayan?” Tolentino said, adding that there should be a law that makes the sale of historical items illegal.
The former Tagaytay mayor and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman also urged the National Commission for Culture and the Arts 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,” 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.”
It was also a weekend of fierce bidding for other artifacts 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 Php2.7 million, Php818,000, and Php876,000, respectively.
