Noli off to Kuwait for Ranario

Vice President Noli de Castro, the concurrent presidential adviser on overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), will go to Kuwait in a last-ditch effort to save the life of Filipino housemaid Marilou Ranario who was sentenced to death for the murder of her employer two years ago.

“If I have to, I would even kneel before the emir (of Kuwait) just to save her life, either through a commutation of sentence or a pardon,” De Castro said.

The Court of Cassation, Kuwait’s supreme court, affirmed last Tuesday the death sentence on Ranario who was found guilty by a lower court of fatally stabbing her Kuwaiti employer on Jan. 11, 2005. Ranario, 35, a former school teacher, claimed that her employer had maltreated her.

Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo said President Arroyo has directed De Castro to immediately go to Kuwait to convey the government’s request for clemency.

De Castro was expected to travel in the next days.

Romulo said Mrs. Arroyo had already spoken with the Kuwaiti Emir, Sheik Sabah Al Ahmed Al Sabah, by phone and had written to him asking clemency for Ranario. Only the Emir can spare the Filipino maid’s life.

Presidential Management Staff chief Cerge Remonde said Mrs. Arroyo met Ranario’s relatives in Cebu City yesterday, assuring them of full government support and payment of blood money to the employer’s relatives to win forgiveness.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the government cannot be accused of not doing enough to save Ranario.

Ermita said the President tried to get in touch with the Kuwaiti Emir at least twice last Tuesday but he could not say if Mrs. Arroyo was able to talk to the emir.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Special Concerns Rafael Seguis said the affidavits of Ranario’s forgiveness were signed by the victim’s mother, three brothers and a sister.

“I think we have a good chance because of the tanazuls (affidavits of forgiveness) which is in the Holy Koran. We will pursue best efforts to save the life of Marilou. Hindi kami nagkulang. We have raised the blood money,” Seguis said.

Seguis said the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait submitted yesterday the affidavits to Emir Sheik Sabah of Kuwait at the Amiri Diwan Palace.

“There are four tanazuls. The tanazuls are under the law of equality and punishment. We sent the tanazuls to the emir upon the advice of the lawyers. It is already in the palace,” he said.

He said that the schedule of the trip of Vice President De Castro to Kuwait to personally deliver President Arroyo’s letter of appeal to the emir is still being finalized.

The Department of Foreign Affairs instructed Philippine Ambassador to Kuwait Ricardo Endaya to arrange a meeting between De Castro and the emir.   – With Marvin Sy, AP