Bago namin isinulat ang official statement ng Metro Manila Film Festival kay FDCP Chairperson Liza Dino ay nagpadala kami sa kanya ng mensahe sa FB para hingan ng reaksyon tungkol sa pahayag na inaalis na siya bilang miyembro ng executive committee o execom ng nasabing ahensya.
Pero abala yata si Ms Dino kaya ilalabas na muna namin ang statement na ito ng MMFF.
Ang liham ay ipinadala kay Ms Mary Liza B. Dino na pirmado ni Danilo Delapuz Lim, Overall Chairman ng MMFF/MMDA.
Ang nilalaman ng liham:
“Dear Ms Dino,
“We write in connection with your membership in the Executive Committee of the Metro Manila Filn Festival (MMFF).
“As early as 2016, you already make efforts to transfer management of MMFF from Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP). You even wrote a letter to Malacanang asking for extension of festival period for MMFF and to transfer chairmanship of MMFF from the undersigned to you. You even directly accused MMFF of being involved n the controversies, an institution to which you supposedly belong and as a member of the Executive Committee should be defending. Recent events and information coming to our office MMFF and to take it away from MMDA and is actively pursuing the same.
“We honestly believe therefore that your membership in the Executive Committee is no longer tenable as your actions are inimical to MMFF and to reek of conflict of interest.
“We regret not your removal from MMFF but rather that is has come this far. After your first botched attempt to transfer administration of MMFF to you and your office, we were expecting you to resign out of delicadeza. For this reason, we would like to inform you that we have decided to withdraw your appointment as a member of the Executive Committee.”
Bukod sa statement na ito ng MMFF ay naglabas na rin ng pahayagh ang Cinema Exhibitors Association of the Philippines o CEAP na suportado nila ang MMFF sa pahayag nilang ito.
Ayon sa liham:
“Over the past decades, the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) has been made into a tradition by millions of Filipinos during Christmas time. It is a much anticipated event, not only by the Filipino movie-goers but also by the cinema exhibitors and local producers and film makers.
“The Cinema Exhibitors Association of the Philippines (CEAP) would like to reiterate our full support to the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) in conducting the MMFF.
“We applaud the planning and implementation of the MMDA in ensuring the success of the MMFF year-on-year. Most importantly, unlike some Film Festivals, CEAP recognizes and appreciates the efforts of the MMDA in encouraging transparency and collaboraton within the MMFF Executive Committee members by involving all relevant stakeholders.
“Ceap firmly believes that success speaks for itself and with that, we are confident that the MMFF, with MMDA as its helm, will continue to be a big contributor in the promotion and growth of the Filipino movie industry.”