Puentevella to help Pinay in Kuwait

MANILA, Philippines – President Arroyo has tapped Bacolod Congressman and Philippine Olympic Committee official Monico Puentevella to help negotiate for the freedom of May Vecina, the Filipina domestic helper who was recently convicted for killing the child of her employer in Kuwait last year.

Puentevella, also the chef-de-mission of the RP delegation to the forthcoming Beijing Olympics, yesterday said he received the order from the President to lead the negotiation during the latter’s birthday party the other night.

“Time is running out on the life of the Pinay convicted in Kuwait,” said Puentevella, referring to Vecina, whose death sentence would be immediately carried out after the Emir of Kuwait confirms the ruling within two months.
Kuwait’s Court of Cassation handed down the verdict on Vecina last April 1. She was charged of killing her seven-year-old ward and frustrated murder of two other children of her employer in January last year.

Puentevella said he will sit down with His Royal Highness Sheikh Ahmad Al Sabah of Kuwait this week during the Association of National Olympic Committees’ general assembly in Beijing where the POC will be one of the participants. – Abac Cordero