Group chides VP De Castro for using Vecina as campaign tool

MANILA, Philippines - An alliance of Filipino migrant workers groups on Monday accused Vice President Noli de Castro of using May Vecina, the overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who was meted the death sentence in Kuwait, as a campaign tool.

“Odds-on, VP Noli is just using OFW May Vecina to boost his chances of winning in 2010. His recent sortie in Kuwait stinks of empty posturings,” said Connie Bragas-Regalado, chairperson of Migrante International.

“De Castro has been hyping to high heavens his 10 minute audience with the Kuwaiti ruler, as if he has actually accomplished his mission of saving Vecina’s life,” she added, referring to last month’s meeting between De Castro and Kuwaiti Emir Sabah IV Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah.

Regalado said De Castro’s alleged posturing reminded them of his similar media hype in 2005, where after he claimed that convicted OFW Marilou Ranario has been pardoned, the Court of Appeals immediately reaffirmed the death sentence meted out by the lower court.

“It took a high-profile international and national campaign by migrants themselves in 2007 before the Arroyo administration took action,” Regalado said.

Marilou Ranario’s death sentence was commuted to a life sentence soon after President Arroyo was forced to go to Kuwait herself and make an appeal.

“Thus, pending a concrete and tangible proof that Vecina’s life will actually be spared, we suggest that de Castro should consider shutting-up. He must ensure that all efforts be made by this government to save the lives of all Filipinos in death row, apart from that of May Vecina,” Regalado said. - GMANews.TV

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