Arroyo plans sidetrip to Kuwait to seek pardon for Ranario

Before returning to Manila next week, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is planning to drop by Kuwait on Tuesday to personally appeal to the Emir for clemency for convicted domestic helper Marilou Ranario.

A source in Malacanang said the details for the President's sidetrip is still being finalized, but this has been inserted into her itinerary.

Kuwait's supreme court upheld on Nov 27 the death sentence on Ranario, a 35-year-old mother of two, for killing her lady employer in January 2005.

“Hindi pa final 'yung schedule. Pina-finalize pa kagaya ng gaano siya katagal dun, iyung schedule dun sa kakausapin," said the source, an official at the Palace.

It would be a “less than 24 hours trip" and include a possible audience with Emir Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the official added.

Arroyo had initially sent Vice President Noli De Castro to the Emir to deliver her letter of appeal for the commutation of Ranario’s sentence after she failed to get in touch with him by telephone since the death sentence had been affirmed by Kuwait’s high court last month.

If the side-trip pushes through, it would be made after her return trip to Spain, from London, on Dec. 7 to visit Sevilla, Cordoba, Andalucia and Granada.

The President is currently in Madrid for a state visit which would be followed by an official visit to London where she would meet business leaders led by steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal and for an audience with Queen Elizabeth II on Dec. 6.

It was not immediately known if De Castro would still push through with his scheduled trip to Kuwait next week to personally hand over the President's letter to the emir.

DzBB radio reported Tuesday that the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration has also been assisting the parents and a sister of Ranario for their trip to Kuwait to visit her in detention. - GMANews.TV

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