Nora's LA lawyer counters PNoy: 'She was never convicted of a crime involving drugs'

Nora Aunor at the Gawad Urian Awards Danny Pata

"Nora Aunor was never convicted of a crime, let alone a crime involving drugs here in Los Angeles."

 

That was the emphatic declaration of California lawyer Claire Navarro Espina, who represented the actress during a case from 2005 to 2007.

 

The lawyer's statement posted over Facebook came on Tuesday after President Benigno Aquino III confirming that it was the actress' history with drugs that led to her being left out of the final list of awardees for National Artist.

 

"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.

 

In 2005, Aunor was arrested in Los Angeles for possession of methampethamine (shabu). The charges were dropped in 2007 after Aunor completed a rehabilitation program, with Espina reiterating that the actress was never convicted.

 

"Apparently misinformation over in the Philippines on this issue," said Espina.

 

According to a 2007 report by Jose Katigbak on ManilaMailDC.net, Aunor was merely fined $220 after pleading no-contest to the charges. The report added that she passed "in excess of 40 drug tests" during that period. — JST, GMA News