Vecina commutation not Arroyo's trophy - group

MANILA, Philippines - An alliance of overseas Filipino workers on Thursday warned President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo against using the commutation of May Vecina's death sentence as a "trophy" in her July 28 State of the Nation Address.

Gary Martinez, Migrante International spokesperson, told GMANews.TV that Mrs Arroyo should not be contented with Vecina's commutation because there are 33 more OFWs in the Middle East who are in death row.

Kuwaiti Emir Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah signed a decree last July 8 commuting Vecina's death sentence to life imprisonment.

"We welcome this good news. At least Vecina's family can breathe a sigh of relief after her death sentence has been commuted. However, President Arroyo should not use Vecina's commutation as a trophy in her upcoming SONA," said Martinez.

He said Vecina's commutation should not be considered as a "brownie point" for Mrs Arroyo because it was the migrant groups who campaigned for Vecina's freedom.

"The government should be more serious and systematic in helping all Filipino workers who are facing death row," he added.

According to Martinez, many Filipinos in the Middle East do not have lawyers to defend them during court proceedings. - GMANews.TV

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