Aquino wants guidelines on payment of blood money

Joselito Zapanta. Facebook photo

MANILA, Philippines – President Aquino III had formed a team tasked to study and create guidelines on the payment of blood money for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) convicted in the Middle East, presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Monday.

Lacierda told a press briefing that the President wanted a “clear-cut policy” on the issue.

“The President, in this morning’s meeting, stressed the need for a clear policy on blood money,” Lacierda said.

“We know for a fact that our overseas Filipino workers have contributed a lot to our country and there are situations where…For one reason or another, a crime is committed and blood money is required especially in the Middle East nations,” he added.

Lacierda said the committee will be composed of Vice President Jejomar Binay, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., Justice Secretary Leila De Lima, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario, Budget and Management Secretary Florencio Abad, Health Secretary Enrique Ona, Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz, and Social Welfare Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman.

Lacierda said they were not able to discuss the case of OFW Joselito Zapanta during the meeting.

Zapanta is facing the death penalty in Saudi Arabia after being accused of killing his Sudanese landlord. The victim’s family is asking for 4 million Saudi Riyal (P45 million) in blood money.

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