Policy on ‘blood money’ for OFWs out soon, says Binay

MANILA, Philippines – There will be a new policy that will be implemented soon  on the use of “blood money” for convicted overseas Filipino workers (OFW), Vice President Jejomar Binay was quoted as saying over 990AM.

Vice President Jejomar Binay. INQUIRER file photo

Binay said that the technical group he headed was finalizing the recommendation to be submitted to President Benigno Aquino III, according to a report by 990AM’s Ruel Perez. The criteria has been discussed although no details were given, the report said.

Vice President Jejomar Binay said that the new policy on “blood money” fund for convicted Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) will soon be implemented, Ruel Perez of 990AM reported Tuesday.

“Blood money” is given to the family of the OFW’s supposed victim to cancel out the corresponding death penalty for the crime the OFW has allegedly committed and the family’s acceptance is a sign that they have forgiven the suspect, the report said.

Militant labor group MIGRANTE (International Alliance of Filipino Migrant Organizations)-Middle East sector urged the fast-track implementation of the distribution of “blood money” to Filipinos in death row abroad, including jailed OFW Rogelio Dondon Lanuza who was convicted for the alleged murder of a Saudi national.

Lanuza has been jail in the eastern Saudi city of Dammam since August 2000 for the murder of a Saudi national whose family finally agreed to forgive him in exchange for “blood money”.