The long-simmering tensions within the family of late National Artist Nora Aunor erupted publicly after actress Lotlot de Leon strongly disputed statements made by her brother, Ian de Leon, regarding efforts to preserve their mother’s legacy.

Speaking during the press conference for the upcoming mystery-drama film 40 Days, Lotlot addressed Ian’s recent television interview and denied his claim that he had fully informed the family about plans to establish a one-person corporation in honor of Nora Aunor.

“I don’t know why lies keep coming out of your mouth, Ian. He said on Fast Talk that he was going to establish it. He never told us, he never shared anything with us. We have remained silent, but I will not allow anyone to put Matet down, to put Kiko down, to put Ken down, or to spread these lies because they are simply not true,” she said.

Lotlot also expressed frustration over what she described as repeated falsehoods.

“Enough. Enough with the lies. We have stayed quiet. We have not said anything, and then you go out and tell everyone that you informed us — which is not true,” she added.

Ian, however, previously told television host Boy Abunda that he had already discussed the idea with his siblings shortly after Nora’s death and invited them to participate.

“We were gathered together. All five of us. I also wanted them involved. This was still a concept at the time. There was no OPC yet. But I told them I would pursue this and was willing for everyone to be on board. In fact, there was a Zoom meeting. Matet was there. She was aware,” Ian said.

Lotlot offered a different account, claiming that when the family first discussed creating a foundation for Nora Aunor, Ian initially declined to participate.

“I asked him, ‘Are you willing to build the foundation with us? Let’s establish one for Mommy.’ He said, ‘I am not ready.’ He said he would not contribute any money because he could not do it yet. It’s all in our text messages, and I have copies,” she said.

According to Lotlot, she and siblings Matet, Kiko and Ken later considered moving forward with the foundation but still wanted Ian involved.

“He told us, ‘Go ahead and do it. I will support you. When I am ready, can I join?’ I said yes. This belongs to all of us — for Mommy’s legacy,” she recalled.

For Lotlot, the foundation’s purpose has always been to continue Nora Aunor’s charitable work.

“What was Mommy’s legacy? Helping others. That is what I want to continue. It is not meant to make money. In fact, I will be the one struggling to raise funds for the foundation,” she said.

The actress also spoke candidly about inheritance issues, stressing that material possessions were never her priority.

“Whatever Mommy left behind — the properties in Bicol — that is all she had. He can have it all. For me, it is enough that I was able to call Nora Aunor my mother. It is enough that I was raised by a superstar. It is enough that Mommy gave me her name,” she said.

Lotlot revealed that she privately approached Ian after Nora’s death about the possibility of sharing the properties left behind by their mother, but insisted it was out of concern for their siblings rather than herself.

“A few weeks later, I asked him if he was willing to share the properties with us. Not for me. I felt sorry for my three siblings because Mommy left nothing for them. We have accepted that whatever Mommy had legally belongs to Ian. No one is asking for anything and no one is trying to take anything away from him,” she explained.

She added that she would have accepted whatever decision Ian made.

“I told him that if he was willing to share the properties with us, thank you very much. If not, that’s fine. There is no problem. As for me, I can manage. I have managed my whole life.”

Ian, for his part, maintained that he intends to handle matters fairly and responsibly.

“Of course, definitely. For me, I would do what needs to be done now. I have to keep our focus on extending help and doing what needs to be done,” he said.

He also emphasized that inheritance matters require legal processes.

“Just to make things clear, the inheritance issue takes time. It is not as though your mother passes away today and next week everyone receives an inheritance. Everything has to be handled legally.”

Lotlot revealed that years of silence finally came to an end after watching Ian’s interview.

“I have not spoken to him for a year. So many things have been said about me, Matet and my two brothers. I never said anything because I respected my mother. And I respect our father, Christopher de Leon. But what I cannot tolerate is a person who lies,” she said.

The actress became emotional as she reflected on her close relationship with Ian and the role she played in helping raise him while Nora Aunor was in the United States.

“This hurts me so much because I treated him like a brother and took care of him as one. My mother entrusted him to me. While Mommy was in America for years, Ian lived with me for years. We even built a room for him in our house. I do not understand why this is happening. He can have everything. I am not asking for anything,” she said.

Despite the growing public rift, Ian previously expressed hope that reconciliation remains possible.

“People have to understand that family units have their own misunderstandings. I would let time take its own course. I won’t force anything until it’s the right time for things to be resolved,” he said.

Hours after Lotlot’s statements circulated, Ian responded through social media, rejecting accusations that he had been dishonest.

“Enough with the lies? You stop. You stop telling lies, especially to my dad,” he wrote on Facebook Stories.

Ian clarified that when he previously said he was not ready to participate in the foundation, his concerns centered on legal requirements.

“At that time, I said I was not ready to commit because I wanted them to settle the legal papers first. I knew about the plans, and my suggestion was to fix the legalities before launching it,” he explained.

He also claimed that he monitored the foundation’s SEC registration and raised concerns after learning that donations were already being solicited despite unresolved legal matters.

Responding to claims that he never informed his siblings about his plans, Ian pointed to meetings and discussions he said had already taken place.

“So the two Zoom meetings they attended no longer count? And the discussion during the 40 days no longer happened?” he wrote.

Ian further denied suggestions that he intended to keep everything left behind by Nora Aunor.

“After the state funeral, when all five of us were talking, I was clear. I told you that the five of us should help one another, remain transparent with each other, and that everything would take time and eventually be divided equally. Yet the narrative now is that I am selfish?” he said.

He concluded his response by expressing disappointment over the public accusations while reiterating his affection for his sister.

“You treated me like a brother? I also treated you like a real sister. And I still call you Ate,” he wrote.

While both sides insist they are acting in the interest of their late mother’s memory, the exchange underscores the emotional challenges surrounding family relationships, inheritance matters and efforts to honor one of Philippine entertainment’s most celebrated icons.