Pubdate: Wed, 06 Apr 2005
Source: Manila Bulletin (The Philippines)
Contact:  http://www.mb.com.ph/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/906
Author: Willie N. Ng
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Philippines

LEGAL AID FOR NORA

AIRPORT observers say that superstar Nora Aunor, arrested in the Los
Angeles airport for possessing eight grams of shabu, would never have
gotten in such a fix here at home.

Nora, an effective election campaigner, has always been close to the
powers-that-be, first to the Estrada administration and now to the
present one.

If caught with shabu here, a call to the powers-that-be would bail her
out of trouble. Not that such a call is necessary. Who in the airport
would dare examine her bags or her person?

Within hours, Nora's $10,000 bail was paid, allowing her to walk the
streets a free woman.

Although Malacanang was reported to have distanced itself from the
Aunor case, news reports said that the Department of Foreign Affairs
instructed Albert del Rosario to see that she would get "appropriate
legal assistance."

"We're trying to ascertain what help she needs, which is what we
normally do for any Filipino citizen who has difficulty in the United
States," the ambassador said. "We're trying to help her as a citizen
of the Philippines."

With that statement, the ambassador has opened the gates of government
assistance to all Filipinos, visitors or residents, who have
"difficulty in the United States," such help being assured to all
citizens of the Philippines.

One is sure there are many Filipino drug addicts in America, not
counting visitors such as Nora Aunor, the third Filipina actress to be
charged with possession of drugs.

A consular officer, Noemi Diaz, is assigned to monitor Aunor's case.
Will there be enough consulate monitors now that the gates for
government help are thrown open?

It is not only arrested drug users who are in need of help. So many
others are arrested for other crimes.

Our consulates in America will be converted into hives of legal
activity. 
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