Nora Aunor cleared of drug case in US

A court in Los Angeles, California dismissed a drug-related case against Philippine cinema icon Nora Aunor after she completed a six-month drug rehabilitation program. QTV Balitanghali reported Tuesday that after being confined in a rehabilitation facility during this time, Aunor completed the requirements of the court-ordered drug diversion program. She tested negative for drugs during the six months of her stay. With the case's dismissal, Aunor was spared from being thrown behind bars, the report said. Her drug case will be stricken off her criminal record. The Washington-based Manila Mail quoted a court spokesman as saying that Aunor was also required to pay a $250-fine (roughly P11,250 at P45:$1). The television report said Aunor, or Nora Cabaltera Villamayor in real life, as being delighted with the court ruling. She was arrested in March 30, 2005, at the Los Angeles International Airport for alleged possession of eight grams of metamphetamine (commonly known as shabu) and a glass pipe in her hand-carry bag. After Aunor entered a guilty plea in March last year, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge issued a Deferred Entry of Judgment (DEJ), which delayed the sentencing for 18 months and placed her under a rehabilitation program. The Philippine Entertainment Portal quoted fans of the movie star as saying last August that she is most likely to return in the Philippine by November and December. The report said a local director, who claimed to be a fan of the actress, has expressed interest in casting Aunor in an independent film. - GMANews.TV