Arroyo assures Ranarios of efforts to save condemned OFW

• Posted by admin on November 28th, 2007 filed in OFW Asia

MANILA, Philippines — (UPDATE) President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Wednesday assured the family of Marilou Ranario that she will do all she can to save the life of the Filipina worker, who is facing the death sentence in Kuwait for killing her employer.

Arroyo met with Marilou’s mother, Encarnacion, in Cebu where the President attended the 17th general assembly of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines, Presidential Management Staff chief Cerge Remonde said.

Arroyo also hosted a Christmas party for Cebu media at the Malacañang sa Sugbu before flying to Naga City to check the condition of typhoon victims in evacuation centers.

“The President assured her [Encarnacion] of full government support,” Remonde said in a text message.

In Malacañang, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said upon the recommendation of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Arroyo immediately tried to get in touch with the Kuwaiti emir.

But he said he did not know if the calls to the emir Tuesday night and Wednesday pushed through.

Ermita refuted claims by some quarters that the government has neglected Ranario’s case, saying that all efforts are being exerted to save the Filipina worker’s life.
Remonde said Arroyo also told Encarnacion that the government is willing to pay blood money to the family of Marilou’s employer.

He also quoted the President as saying the government will shoulder the expenses of the Ranario family should they decide to go to Kuwait.

Arroyo on Tuesday instructed Vice President Noli de Castro to fly to Kuwait for last-ditch efforts to save Marilou’s life after her death sentence was affirmed by the Kuwaiti supreme court.

A teacher, Marilou, 33, worked in Kuwait as a domestic helper.

Ranario was found guilty of stabbing dead her female employer in 2005.

Ranario’s lawyer said his client suffers from paranoia and claimed the employer had threatened to harm her before the attack. She had told the court that she did not mean to kill the woman.

source: Inquirer.net