PNoy bares reason for dropping Nora Aunor as Nat’l Artist

The President cites the Superstar’s past drug case—but the actress’ lawyer claims, ‘Nora Aunor was never convicted of a crime, let alone a crime involving drugs here in Los Angeles.’

On Tuesday, July 1, President Benigno Aquino III admitted that being convicted for a drug-related charge was the reason why he rejected Nora Aunor’s nomination as National Artist for Film.

Aquino made the revelation at the 67th anniversary ceremony of the Philippine Air Foce in Clark Air Base, Pampanga.

Shabu in the States

Speaking to reporters, Aquino confirmed that he removed Aunor from the list because the latter was convicted for using illegal drugs.

Aunor was arrested for shabu possession in the United States in 2005. She evaded imprisonment by undergoing a six-month drug rehabilitation program.

Ninoy was a Noranian

To establish that he didn’t bear any personal grudges against Aunor, the President shared that his father, the late Senator Ninoy Aquino, was abig fan of the actress.

He pointed out, “First of all, for the record, my father is a fan of Nora Aunor. Ako rin ay humahanga sa naabot niya. Nagtitinda sa bus station nung araw. Napunta dun sa Tawag ng Tanghalan at mula dun siya ay naging Superstar. Singular Superstar.”

Role models preferred

Aquino went on to say, “Noong humarap sa akin itong mga nominations, isa lang naman ang tanong: Ano ba ang titulo? National Artist. At sa aking pananaw iyong National Artist iyong binibigyan natin ng honor na ito, puri na ganito, dahil gusto natin sabihin malaki ang inambag sa lahing Pilipino at dapat tularan.”

He added, “Ang naging problema ko lang doon, alam naman natin lahat na iginagalang ko ulit si Binibining Nora Aunor, na-convict po siya sa drugs. Na-convict at naparusahan at ang tanong ngayon dito, pag ginawa ba nating National Artist may mensahe ba akong maliwanag na sinasabi sa sambayanan?”

The President said illegal drug use is a growing problem in the country, with Mexican and West African drug syndicates trying to set up operations locally.

Zero tolerance

Aquino said choosing Aunor, who was convicted for drug use, as a National Artist would send the wrong message.

He said, “Ayokong magkaroon ng mensahe na kung minsan pwede iyong illegal na droga. Or acceptable. Iyong dapat iyong mensahe it is always bad and illegal drugs do nobody any good…Kung ginawa ko siyang National Artist, may kabilang panig namang magsasabing: ‘Paano siya as a role model?'”

“Ginagalang ko siya, kinikilala ko iyong kanyang trabaho at saka mga obra pero ang problema ko mukhang mas mataas iyong prayoridad na maliwanag na may mensahe iyong droga zero tolerance tayo dito. Mali all the time,” Aquino stated.

‘Nora was never convicted’

Meanwhile, ABS-CBN News’ Ces Drilon sent a message to Aunor’s US-based lawyer Claire Navarro Espina, who said the veteran actress was never convicted for a drug charge.

Espina also made a statement on Facebook: “Nora Aunor was never convicted of a crime, let alone a crime involving drugs here in Los Angeles. I should know – I was the attorney who represented her. Two reporter friends have already pm’d me this issue – again today. Apparently misinformation over in the Philippines on this issue,” she wrote.

Then, in a statement given to ABS-CBN’s North America News Bureau, Espina reiterated: “Nora Aunor was never convicted. This is not accurate nor is it factual.”