Ian de Leon has clarified the purpose behind the One Person Corporation (OPC) he established to manage the legacy of his late mother, National Artist Nora Aunor, saying he had informed his adoptive siblings about the plans as part of efforts to preserve the Superstar’s name and continue projects tied to her legacy. However, just hours after his interview, his sister Lotlot strongly pushed back against his statements, accusing Ian of lying and insisting that they were never told about the corporation’s establishment.
Known as the Superstar of Philippine entertainment, Nora was recognized as a National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts in 2022. She passed away on April 16, 2025 at the age of 71 due to acute respiratory failure. Ian is her only biological child with former husband Christopher De Leon, together with four adoptive children Lotlot, Matet, Kiko, and Kenneth.
Appearing on Fast Talk with Boy Abunda on June 19, Ian explained that he established the OPC as part of a larger plan to legally manage his mother’s legacy and assets through two separate entities: the for-profit Nora Aunor Enterprise and the non-profit Nora Aunor Foundation.
“Yung OPC, the One Person Corporation, under that is the Nora Aunor Enterprise. We established that legally in order to manage her legacy. Estates the assets that she has left behind,” he began.
Ian said the enterprise would handle projects centered on preserving and expanding Nora’s legacy, while a portion of the profits would support charitable initiatives through the foundation.
“‘Yung enterprise ay sa for profit entity, meaning to say we have plans of doing shows, concerts, documentary, exhibits, whatnot, musicals and stuff like that that’s why established also the other entity, the Nora Aunor Foundation, so that fifteen-percent of the proceeds from the enterprise would go to the foundation,” Ian explained.
His sister Matet previously claimed they had not been informed about Ian’s plans.
Addressing this, Ian insisted the concept had already been discussed during Nora’s 40th day memorial held at Libingan ng mga Bayani, where all four of his siblings were present.
“I wanted them involved,” Ian said. “This was still a concept during that time and I wanted them to be involved and wala pang OPC noon with the plans that I had to continue mom’s legacy. And I think ‘yung time na ‘yun they weren’t ready because it was still a concept. But I told them I would pursue this. I’m willing for everyone to be onboard.”
Asked directly whether Matet’s statements claiming they were not informed were accurate, Ian firmly denied it.
“No,” he said.
“I told them. In fact, there was a meeting that was held sa Zoom where si Matet was also there twice. She was aware,” Ian added.
Despite the growing tension, Ian said he believes misunderstandings are normal, especially for a family constantly under public scrutiny.
“As far as I’m concerned kasi, in a family unit – unfortunately for us kasi we’re, you know, public. Everyone knows what’s happening. But people have to understand that family units have their own misunderstandings. So para sa akin, it’s only a matter of time. I would let time take its own course. You know, I don’t want to force anything until it’s the right time for things to be solved,” he said.
“I would do whatever it is to uphold mom’s legacy and to fulfill what her dream was while she was still around," Ian told Tito Boy. "This is not for me, it’s for mom. People have to understand, it’s for her legacy, the continuation of her legacy because that’s what we want eh."
He further emphasized that preserving Nora’s story was about protecting the inspiration she gave generations of Filipinos.
“Just because she passed away doesn’t mean her legacy would end there. It's more on extending her inspiration from a little girl who's selling water and peanuts sa train station to becoming a superstar and ultimately a National Artist,” he said.
“We want to uphold that. And siguro our opinions may differ but ultimately, I can see in the future na, you know, we will all connive into one certain purpose.”
The actor also addressed speculation that the conflict was rooted in inheritance concerns, clarifying that legal processes involving estates cannot happen immediately after someone’s death.
“Just to make things clear Tito Boy, the mana issue, I just want to set the record straight right here. Things take time. It’s not like your mother passes today, the next week may mana. Everything has to be dealt legally,” he maintained.
“I’m no legal expert but I’m sure as heaven that I will have a crash course on legalities in order for this to have order and structure kasi one reason why I decided to pursue this is I don’t want mom’s name to be used freely, loosely by anyone who does things for their personal gain,” he continued.
Asked whether he intends to remain fair to his siblings when dealing with their mother’s estate, Ian assured there would be fairness in the process.
“Of course. Definitely. For me I would just do the things that just need to be done right now. It's hard kasi Tito Boy to focus on what’s happening, all the discussions that’s been thrown around especially with what’s happening with the siblings and all."
“But I have to keep our focus on extending and doing what needs to be done in order to establish mom’s legacy and to continue that for further generations.”
Tito Boy noted he had no doubts about Ian’s love for his siblings, particularly for his sisters Lotlot and Matet.
“Time heals all wounds. Right now, I'm just focused on what needs to be done," Ian said.
But just hours after the interview aired, Lotlot publicly disputed Ian’s version of events during the story conference for her upcoming film 40 Days.
In a video shared by ABS-CBN News, an emotional Lotlot strongly denied ever being informed about the corporation’s creation.
“Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit puro kasinungalingan ang lumalabas sa bibig mo Ian. Bakit? Sinabi niya kanina sa Fast Talk, sinabi daw niya sa akin, kay Kiko, kay Matet, and kay Kenneth na magtatayo siya ng One Person Corporation, ng enterprise. He never told us. He never told us, he never shared with us anything at all. Wala siyang shinare, wala siyang sinabi, wala siyang kinwento," she said.
Lotlot said she could no longer remain silent while what she described as false statements continued to circulate publicly.
“Enough. Enough with the lies. Enough with all of that. Tahimik ako, tahimik na si Matet, tahimik si Kiko at tahimik si Ken. Wala na kaming sinasabi, and then you go out on a TV show and then you tell everyone na sinabi mo sa amin, which is not true,” she maintained.
She also rejected allegations suggesting that she and her siblings were motivated by inheritance concerns.
“Again, sa kaniya na lahat. Wala akong hinihingi. Wala kaming hinihingi. Wala akong inaagaw, walang inaagaw si Matet. He can have it all, kasi para sa akin, sapat nang natawag kong mommy si Nora Aunor. Sapat nang napalaki ako ng isang Superstar. Sapat nang nabigyan ako ng pangalan ni mommy," Lotlot said while crying.
“He can have it all. Galit ako. Galit na galit ako. Buong buhay ko sinakripisyo ko para sa mga kapatid ko tapos sisirain mo lang," she ended, later apologizing to director Louie Ignacio, fellow cast members, and members of the media present.
As of this writing, Ian has yet to respond to Lotlot’s remarks, while siblings Matet, Kiko, and Kenneth have yet to publicly issue statements of their own.