PNoy: Nora’s drug problem cost her National Artist title

Saying he is serious in his campaign against illegal drugs, President Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday confirmed it was superstar Nora Aunor's history with illegal substances that cost her the National Arist title.

 

Aquino made the statement during an interview with reporters after the anniversary celebration of the Philippine Air Force in Pampanga.

 

Aunor was among the final nominees for the award by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), but was omitted from the final list signed by Aquino.

 

The Filipino film icon has had a much-publicized history with drugs, including a 2005 arrest in Los Angeles for alleged possession of methampethamine (shabu). The charges were dropped in 2007 after the actress complied with a rehabilitation program.

 

"Na-convict po siya sa drugs... na-convict at naparusahan at ang tanong ngayon dito, kapag ginawa ba [siyang] National Artist may mensahe ba akong maliwanag na sinasabi sa sambayanan?" Aquino told reporters after the 67th anniversary celebration of the Philippine Air Force in Pampanga.

 

The President made the statement amid criticism of his choice of National Artists.

 

Aquino said that he and his father are fans of Aunor's work, but added that it was far from  the only basis for his decision.

 

"Ginagalang ko siya, kinikilala ko yung kanyang trabaho at yang mga obra pero ang problema ko mukhang mas mataas yung prayoridad na maliwanag na may mensahe na yung droga zero tolerance tayo dito, mali all the time," he said.

 

"Ayokong magkaroon ng mensahe na kung minsan pwede yung iligal na droga or acceptable.  Yung dapat na mensahe it is always bad... and I cannot emphasize that message enough."

 

On Monday, Aunor broke her silence over the issue, admitting that she was hurt by Aquino's move.

 

"Inaamin ko pong nasaktan ako sa nangyari," said Aunor in a statement.

 

But Aunor added that she has been heartened by the overflow of support from fans, supporters, and industry observers over the controversy.

 

"Pero ang dagsa ng suporta na nakita ko at naramdaman mula sa aking mga kababayan—mga katrabaho ko sa industriya, mga fans at mga kaibigan, mga pari at madre, mga guro at iba pang taga-akademya, mga taga-media, mga National Artists, mga pangkaraniwang mamamayan dito at sa ibang bansa—ay sapat-sapat na upang maramdaman kong maski wala mang tropeo o karangalang igawad sa akin ang mga nasa kapangyarihan, iniluklok naman ako ng mga kababayan ko, habang buhay sa kanilang mga puso, bilang isang artista ng bayan."

 

Damned if you do, damned if you don't

 

The decision caused an uproar among fans, media observers, and film personalities alike, with author Bino A. Realuyo calling her "the greatest Filipino actor of all time" in an essay published on Huffington Post and GMA News Online.

 

But Aquino said he would also receive criticism if he had decided to include Aunor in the list of new National Artists.

 

"Ganun talaga ang trabahong ito, maski anong ang desisyon ko, mayroon talagang papanig sa salungat sa anumang desiyon ko," he said.

 

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) have denied opposing his decision to exclude superstar Aunor from the list, saying their statements were exaggerated by media.

 

The NCCA and the CCP act as the Order of the National Artists Award Secretariat, which plans, organizes and implements the National Artist awards.

 

Malacañang earlier defended Aquino's decision to leave off Aunor from the final list, noting it was his prerogative.

 

“It is the duty of the President to decide on who among the shortlisted nominees deserve to be conferred the Order of the National Artist. In making the decision, the President considered how each of the nominees measured up to the criteria for choice,” Communications Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said in an interview over government-run dzRB last June 22. — KBK,JST,GMA News