Lawyer corrects PNoy: Nora Aunor never convicted of drug use

MANILA, Philippines — Nora Aunor's lawyer on Tuesday denied that the actress was convicted of drug use as claimed by President Benigno Aquino III.

In a post on her Facebook account, lawyer Claire Navarro Espina said Aunor had no drug conviction.

"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," Espina said.

"This issue just needs to get corrected and then let it die down and the re-application process (for National Artist award) to begin," the lawyer also said in a Facebook comment.

According to past media reports, Aunor was cleared of her drug possession case in Los Angeles in 2007 after she complied to a six-month drug rehabilitation program.

A Los Angeles court meted out the decision clearing Aunor after she tested negative for drug use, the reports said.

On Tuesday, President Aquino revealed that he rejected Aunor's nomination for National Artist because of the actress' drug case.

"Ang naging problema ko lang doon, alam naman nating lahat, na-convict po siya sa drugs. Na-convict at naparusahan. Ang tanong ngayon dito, kapag ginawa ba nating National Artist, may mensahe ba akong maliwanag na sinasabi sa sambayanan?" Aquino asked.

He said proclaiming Aunor as a National Artist could send the message that the use illegal drugs is acceptable in the country.