The NHI finally admitted that Kalantiaw was a hoax in 1998 when Chief Justice Andres Narvasa, who was about to receive the Kalantiaw Award, asked Malacañang to look into the matter. President Joseph Estrada gave him the award anyway.
Sa taong 1998 pa lamang ay inamin ng NHI na si Kalatiaw ay isang panlilinlang. Inamin nila ito noong humingi ang Chief Justice na si Andres Narvasa ng payo sa Malakanyang tungkol kay Kalantiaw sa pagkakataon na gagawaran siya ng Kalantiaw Award.