Vice President Jejomar Binay INQUIRER.net file photo
MANILA, Philippines – Vice President Jejomar Binay on Tuesday said no less than President Benigno Aquino III has pledged a “substantial amount” to help raise blood money for an overseas Filipino worker facing the death penalty in Saudi Arabia.
“On our part, si Pangulo mismo, pumayag na magbigay ng medyo kalakihang halaga. Sa aming palagay, sobra na talaga ang laki (On our part, the President himself agreed to give a large amount of money. We think the amount is really generous),” Binay told media.
He declined to say the amount pledged for Joselito Zapanta who was sentenced to death for killing Sudanese-national Imam Ibrahim.
Binay, also the Presidential Adviser on OFW Concerns, said they are optimistic amid the large amount of money to be raised.
Ibrahim’s family wants Zapanta to pay SAR 4 million or P48-million in blood money.
The Vice President said they will push for a compromise.
“Panalangin natin baka sakaling may pamamaraan pang magkasundo. Kasi, ‘yong pamilya, ang gusto ay buong halaga,” he said.
The blood money will be exchanged for a tanazul or an affidavit of forgiveness which will save Zapanta from being executed.
The amount was supposed to have been delivered on November 12, 2012 but the deadline was extended to March 12, 2013 and later to November 3, 2013.
Donations for Zapanta may be made to the Riyadh Philippine Embassy’s sub-account in the Saudi Hollandi Bank: Account Number 037-040-790-022, International Bank Account Number (IBAN): SA 61-5000-0000-0370-4079-0022, Swift Code: AAALSARI
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