Blood money for Pinoy on death row in Saudi approved — VP Binay

Vice President Jejomar Binay on Wednesday reassured the family of overseas Filipino worker Rodelio "Dondon" Lanuza that the Philippine government's share of the blood money for his freedom remains intact and has been cleared for release.

Binay, the presidential adviser on OFW concerns, said a check with Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. showed the release of the government's share has been approved.
 
"The amount is there and being processed. I’ve talked with Executive Secretary Ochoa and he told me that the release (of the blood money) has already been approved,” Binay said on his Facebook page.

On March 2, a report on Arab News quoted Lanuza as saying the Saudi and Philippine governments have not deposited the blood money to ensure his freedom.

He said that if the blood money is not paid, the aggrieved family may withdraw its forgiveness.

"The aggrieved family may withdraw the forgiveness they issued earlier unless the blood money is paid," he said in the interview.

Arab News said Lanuza's parents Eduardo and Letty, who are based in the United States, have sent a letter to President Benigno Aquino III.

It quoted the letter - excerpts of which were posted on Facebook - as asking Aquino "for the approval and release, as soon as possible, of the allotted SR400,000 or $100,000 which was committed for OFWs on death row.”

Binay earlier said King Abdullah had agreed to shoulder the balance of the blood money for Lanuza, who faced the death sentence for killing a Saudi national.

On Wednesday, he said that while he understands Lanuza’s eagerness to come home, Lanuza should be patient as there are legal and documentary processes to be completed.

“We assure Dondon that he will be reunited with his family. There are processes and requirements in the host country that need to be observed,” he said.

Raising money for another Pinoy

Meanwhile, Binay renewed his appeal to the public to help raise the blood money for another OFW, Joselito Zapanta, who faces the death penalty if his blood money is not paid by March 17.

"I am appealing to all Filipinos to donate any amount you can spare for Joselito's life," he said, noting the amount to be raised is P44 million.

He said negotiations are ongoing to extend the deadline for the payment.

Zapanta was given a reprieve of four months in November 2012 to raise the blood money so the kin of a Sudanese national he killed in 2009 can forgive him.

President Aquino and Binay had appealed to the Saudi King, while foreign affairs officials held talks with government officials of Sudan as well as the victim's family.

"The March 17 deadline for paying the blood money is looming, and only a vigorous and compassionate campaign to raise the P44 million blood money can save him now," Binay said. - VVP, GMA News

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