Family feud among de Leons gets complicated?

by Boy Villasanta

Is the heir issue of inheritance among the children of the late Nora Aunor getting serious or just a petty intrigue being blown out of proportions?

Before the observance of the first death anniversary of Nora at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (LNMB) in Taguig City, there were talks that a conflicting memorial mass schedule in her name was being prepared not only by Ian de Leon, the only biological child of Aunor, but also by siblings and avid Noranians.

Ian’s preferred religious service gained the upper hand, though.

Still, prior to the event, de Leon had an interview with broadcaster Rico Hizon.

According to Ian, he is legally the sole heir of the estate of his mother.

What happens then to his other siblings Lotlot, Matet, Kiko and Kenneth de Leon, all of them, adopted kids of La Aunor and their share of the pie?

Then the “babang-luksa (stripping off mourning)” came along.

It was Ian who oversaw the whole event.

Just the same, Matet and her family were around.

At the LNMB, tension was apparent when Matet and family were devoted to themselves in one corner while Ian and his brood were apart from Matet’s.

Kiko de Leon, who grew up under Lotlot de Leon’s watch, was also at the memorial celebration.

Where’s Lotlot?

Where’s Lotlot, though?

Until the event ended and she was nowhere to be found.

Kenneth de Leon wasn’t in sight as well.

Is it indeed true that there is animosity among Ate (a term of endearment to an older woman by blood or affinity) Guy’s children over inheritance issue?

During the Noranians’ “Bongga Ka, Guy” special memorial party held separately at the Philippine Navy Golf Club clubhouse, Lotlot showed up, although, in just a few minutes, disappeared from view, however after she was given the floor to talk.

She thanked the unending love and care the ardent Nora fans have been giving her mom.

Lotlot also made mention in passing of insinuation of a family feud among the de Leons.

“Huwag po tayo agad maniwala sa mga naririnig natin (Let’s not quickly believe what we hear),” de Leon requested.  

Actions speak louder than voices, though.

Matet, adopted daughter sans inheritance

In a social media post, Matet twitted with loads of meanings the situation of her sister and two brothers in the caption: “Eto nga pala ang ngiti ng mga ampon na walang mana (By the way, there are the smiles of the adopted sans inheritance).”

As if foreseeing what would transpire from his actions in taking care of the legacy of his mom, Ian said in an interview that he considers the welfare of his siblings. “To be honest, I respect my siblings a lot…But of course, I hold the responsibility to do this in their favor. And of course, to uphold the Enterprise on its own as a One Person Corporation (OPC). It’s not an inclusion or family politics. My responsibility here does not exclude or erase them from any family relationships…,” he said in part.

However, to clear out things, Lotlot, through her legal advisor Estur and Associates, stressed that “she was not in any way and in any capacity involved or consulted in the establishment of a One Person Corporation (OPC) for both a foundation and an enterprise in honor of Ms. Nora Aunor.”

The law firm’s official word read that “any statement of attribution to Ms. de Leon is misleading and a false representation.”     

On his part, Ian initially cleared the cloud of doubt about the establishment of an enterprise or a foundation. “As soon as the OPC gets traction or momentum, we can always change that into a company.”

Ian’s initiatives

Lotlot claimed that she “was not consulted and simply informed at the very least of any participation or plans.”

She also disclosed that “there is no Last Will and Testament executed assigning sole administration and authority to the estate of their mother.”

Amid all these, the actress emphasized that she is not pursuing any inheritance and is dissociating herself from any estate involvement after Ian had assumed responsibility for legal actions.

Ian and his siblings have not been talking with each other.

According to the statement, Lotlot was deeply hurt when Ian denied knowledge of a foundation she had previously established with her siblings.

She urged the public and media not to associate her with Ian’s initiatives.