Refer to: Ms. Dale Zapata
83321148
After
talking to the Kuwaiti Emir and the discovery
of
additional pieces of evidence
VP NOLI UPBEAT ON SAVING OFW FROM DEATH
07 March 2006
The mission of Presidential
Adviser on overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) Vice President Noli
‘Kabayan’ De Castro seems to be headed on a positive note this early in
his trip.
This optimism came about after Vice President De Castro got an
assurance from the newly-installed Emir of Kuwait that the latter would
do what he can to spare the life of OFW Marilou Ranario, a 33 year-old
teacher who went to work as a domestic helper in Kuwait and who was
sentenced to death by hanging last September 28, 2005 for the killing
of her Kuwaiti employer.
After extending his condolences on the death of their beloved Emir
Sheik Jaber Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah and congratulating the new Emir Sheik
Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on behalf of the Filipino people, the
Vice President brought up with Emir Sheik Sabah the Ranario case which
was his other principal mission in going to Kuwait.
For his part, the new emir briefly explained to Vice President De
Castro the Kuwaiti justice system for a better understanding of the
options still open to save Ranario’s life and, thereafter, gave his
much welcomed assurance.
Another reason for optimism is the newly gathered additional evidence
that would greatly help the Ranario defense.
The Vice President announced that though they are not yet at liberty to
disclose additional details in order not to jeopardize other legal
strategies that may be employed, he welcomed the news from the Ranario
defense team led by a former brigadier general of the Kuwaiti police
force. Chief State Prosecutor Jovencito Zuño and lawyer Jesse
Andres who are with the Vice President in the trip would also aid
Ranario in her defense.
A team of doctors from a Kuwaiti
University
are also expected to look into the mental condition of Ranario. The
team’s report would hopefully support the findings of National Center for Mental Health
specialist Bernardino Vicente that favored Ranario’s defense of
temporary insanity.
Vice President De Castro also revealed that he has not talked about the
offer of blood money yet to the family of the victim. Foremost in the
Philippine delegation’s mission is the commutation of the sentence to
life imprisonment. It would be then easier to work for her release
after the commutation.
On Sunday, Vice President De Castro got the support of other OFWs in Kuwait
for their prayers in support of Ranario’s plight after he attended a
mass with them. The Vice President had nothing but praises for the over
85,000 OFWs in Kuwait
who were recognized as highly qualified, devoted, honest and ‘perfect’.
He hopes that this high regard for OFWs would somehow help Ranario’s
plight when the time comes for the new Emir to render his final
decision.
Vice President De Castro also announced that some 50 OFWs stranded in
the Philippine embassy would be repatriated home soon.
©
Copyright
2005
Office of the Vice President (OVP)
Management Information Services
Division (MISD). All rights reserved.
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