Nora Aunor's hospital bills shouldered by Marcos, OP —PCO exec

The hospital bills of National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Nora Aunor were shouldered by President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and the Office of the President, a Presidential Communications Office (PCO) executive said Sunday.

Analisa “Ana” Puod, PCO senior undersecretary for operations and strategic communications, confirmed this to reporters.

“Hindi PCSO ang nag-shoulder. Ang OP at si Presidente,” Puod said.

(The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office did not shoulder Nora's hospital expenses; the Office of the President and Marcos did.)

“‘Di lang 'yung hospital bill 'yan. Pati ibang utang at ibang expenses daw galing sa personal na pera ni PBBM 'yan,” she added.

(It's not just the hospital bill. Even other debts and other expenses were paid for with the personal funds of the President.)

She further explained the PCSO did not cover the hospital bills since the President and First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos shouldered it along with other expenses.

The amount was not disclosed, but Puod said Nora’s hospital expenses were paid under the hospitalization benefits for national artists.

“Aside sa makukuha niya as National Artist nagbigay ng personal na pera yung mag asawa. Kasi nasa private hospital si Nora Aunor, malaki yung bill na di na kayang icover,” Puod said.

(Aside from what she gets as a National Artist, the couple gave personal money. Because Nora Aunor was admitted to a private hospital, the bill was costly that they couldn't cover it anymore.)

The amount was not disclosed, but Puod said Nora’s hospital expenses were paid under the hospitalization benefits for national artists.

Earlier this week, Aunor was laid to rest at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City.

Aunor, whose real name is Nora Cabaltera Villamayor, passed away on April 16 due to acute respiratory failure. She was 71 years old.

The "Superstar" and National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts is best known for the films “Himala,” "T-Bird at Ako," “Bulaklak sa City Jail,” and “The Flor Contemplacion Story,” among others.

Among her hit songs were “Handog” and “Ikaw ang Superstar.” —KG, GMA Integrated News