DFA: Gov’t to give Nora free legal aid

The Philippine consulate in Los Angeles is ready to provide a lawyer for movie star Nora Aunor, who was arrested at a United States airport for allegedly possessing methamphetamine.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for migrant workers’ affairs Jose Brillantes said the Philippine government will provide Aunor, whose real name is Nora Cabaltera Villamayor, a lawyer aside from her court-appointed counsel even if the case against her is not labor-related.

However, he said Aunor might not request free legal assistance from the consulate and instead opt to hire her own lawyer. The consulate has assigned a case officer to monitor developments.

"The consulate will be there to assist her. It is the government’s responsibility to ensure her rights are protected and she will be given due process. But considering her status, she might get her own lawyer," Brillantes told The STAR.

Aunor, whose court hearing is set for April 21, has been advised by her court-appointed lawyer not to discuss the case so as not to compromise her defense.

Brillantes said a lawyer might be provided for Aunor even if she had not requested one.

"If our (consulate) feels there is already full protection of the law, then only the court-appointed lawyer will represent her and the case will go on. But if the (consulate) recommends a lawyer for her, we will get a lawyer even without her request," he said.

Under Republic Act 8042, the government has to provide free legal assistance to Filipinos abroad who are involved in a labor-related or criminal case.

Malacañang officials reached by The STAR yesterday, however, refused to issue any official statements on the case of Aunor, known to be close to President Arroyo after the actress joined the military-backed uprising in January 2001 that ousted then President and former actor Joseph Estrada and swept Mrs. Arroyo into power.

"She is a very close person to us, so we would rather not comment about her case because it might only add political color to it when there should be none," said a Palace official, who refused to be identified.

"Nonetheless, what the Philippine consulate did for her should suffice since it is their job to help any Filipino in need, such as in Ms. Aunor’s case," the official added.

Mrs. Arroyo even played up her resemblance to Aunor when she ran for vice president in the 1998 elections. Aunor campaigned for Mrs. Arroyo when the latter ran for a fresh six-year term during the 2004 polls.

Aunor, 51, was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport last Wednesday allegedly in possession of eight grams of methamphetamine in her carry-on bag and a glass pipe wrapped in a T-shirt, according to the Daily Breeze of Torrance.

Airport screeners stopped Aunor, who was flying to Oakland, and found the drug in a film container, the newspaper said, citing unnamed law enforcement officials.

She was released early Thursday after posting $10,000 bail, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Known as "The Superstar" to her fans, Aunor has appeared in more than 170 films and recorded more than two dozen albums, including scores of hit singles.

On screen, she starred with leading men of her time, including Estrada.

She won the best actress award at the 2004 International Festival for Independent Films in Brussels, Belgium. In 1997, she won for best actress at the East Asia Film and Television Festival Awards in Penang, Malaysia.

Aunor now spends much of her time in the United States and has a home in Linda Vista, several miles north of San Diego.

Aunor left for the US last year after campaigning for Mrs. Arroyo and filming the movie "Naglalayag."

Sources said Aunor bought a house in San Francisco under somebody else’s name. She was reported to be having a series of concerts in the West Coast before coming home in August.

She is the third Filipino actress to have been caught with prohibited drugs in US territory. The first two were Anjanette Abayari and Alma Concepcion, both in Guam.