The Order of National Artists recognition is given to Filipino individuals who have "made significant contributions to the development of Philippine arts; namely, Music, Dance, Theater, Visual Arts, Literature, Film and Broadcast Arts, and Architecture and Allied Arts. The national artists award could be given to Dolphy in 2013 according to the National Commission on the Culture and Arts (NCCA) Frances Alincastre, planning officer III of the National artist Award-NCCA, said that the commission's hands are tied with the procedure in approving and granting the prestigious award to an individual. She said Dolphy, Rodolfo Vera Quizon Sr. in real life, has already been in the list of the nominees since he was nominated in 2009. However,she did not pass the second deliberation of the screening committee that time. Alincaster added that after a month of research, the NCCA will start the deliberation process. A list of seven experts for each category will be included in the initial deliberation and the list is trimmed down to three experts for each category in the second deliberation. She said the whole process may take until 2013.

President Benigno Aquino III said he believes the late Comedy King deserves to be conferred the National Artist award, but stressed he cannot shortcut the process for legal reasons. Since there is a temporary restraining order on the granting of National Artist awards issued during the past administration, the Aquino administration gave Dolphy the Grand Collar of the Order of the Golden Heart in 2010.