FPJ! FPJ!

This is the Manila Bulletin banner headline, at least the edition that made it in Ilocos.

FPJ endorsed as Nat’l Artist

Malacañang yesterday endorsed the nomination of the late movie actor Fernando Poe Jr. to the illustrious roster of National Artists for his significant achievements and contributions to Philippine cinema.


Presidential chief of staff Michael Defensor said the President and the entire Cabinet agreed that Poe, known as the king of Philippine movies, deserves to win a National Artist award this year.

The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) have finalized screening the nominations for granting the prestigious awards this June.....

This is moot and academic. According to my CCP sources, FPJ is out. And if my source (another one not the CCP sources) is also right, PGMA should know by now. So why is she saying this?????
To make herself perfumey to the opposition? To squash the ongoign controversy on the National Artist for Literature? Or to make a strong stand for her son Mikey's National Artist in 2020 bid?