Kin of pardoned OFW Vecina thankful to RP govt

DEATH NO MORE. Filipino domestic helper May Vecina is given a new life after Kuwait's emir commuted her death sentence. GMANews.TVNORTH COTABATO, Philippines - The family of May Vecina, the Filipina domestic helper recently spared from death row in Kuwait, has nothing but gratitude to the Philippine government.

May’s husband Leo sent a letter to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo last April 2008 asking for her immediate intervention to save her wife from death sentence.

Written in a whole sheet of yellow paper and sent via courier, Leo appealed to President Arroyo to help her wife, who was that time imprisoned after a Kuwaiti court found her guilty of killing her employer's seven-year-old son, Salem Sulaiman Al-Otaib, on January 6, 2007.

She was also alleged of attempting to kill the victim's 13-year-old brother Abdulla by slitting the boy's throat, and his 17-year-old sister Hajer by stabbing her.

Request granted

“I am happy that the government and President Arroyo listened and acted on my request," Leo said in vernacular.

May is a native of Matalam town in this province.

President Arroyo, during her recent trip to the Middle East, was said to have asked for the pardon of May and other Filipinos facing death penalty in the oil-rich country.

During her trial, May claimed she was able to commit the crime due to the alleged maltreatment she was receiving from her employer.

The Kuwaiti court sentenced May to death but was commuted to lifetime imprisonment following several appeals made by the Philippine government, including President Arroyo and Vice Pres. De Castro.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is still preparing all necessary documents for the immediate return of May in the country and to Matalam.

Excited family

May's children - 9-year old Queeny Jane and 5-year old King James - are very excited for the return of their mother, who left them three years ago.

Queeny said what she misses more about her mom was her hugs. “I will hug my mother since I wasn’t able to be with her and see her for so long," she told this writer in a interview.

King James, who was an infant when May left, said he recognizes her mother only through their family picture.

Leo predicted that King James would have a difficult time recognizing May when she arrives.

“I am afraid that (King Jame) could not recognize her mother," Leo said, as he promised to prepare May’s favorite food, tinolang manok, upon her return.- GMANews.TV

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