PNoy pledges 'substantial' amount to save OFW in Saudi death row

MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III has pledged a "substantial amount" to augment the blood money being raised for the overseas Filipino worker (OFW) sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia.

This is what Vice President Jejomar Binay revealed on Tuesday as he again appealed for help in saving Joselito Zapanta, who has been accused of killing a Sudanese national.

“On our part, si Pangulo mismo, pumayag na magbigay ng medyo kalakihang halaga. Sa aming palagay, sobra na talaga ang laki,” Binay was quoted as saying in a post on his official Facebook page.

Binay, the presidential adviser for OFW affairs, did not disclose the exact amount that Aquino pledged.

Zapanta was sentenced to death for killing Sudanese national Imam Ibrahim, whose family initially demanded SAR 5 million.

The amount was later reduced to SAR 4 million for the execution of a tanazul or affidavit of forgiveness and prevent the imposition of the death penalty.

According to Binay, the victim's family has insisted that they be paid the entire SAR 4 million or about P48 million.

Earlier this month, Binay said the amount was being renegotiated to SAR 2 million and the government had only gathered around SAR 520,831 during that time.

But Binay said he remains optimistic that the Philippine government and the Ibrahim's family will reach a compromise.

"Panalangin natin baka sakaling may pamamaraan pang magkasundo. Kasi, ‘yong pamilya, ang gusto ay buong halaga," Binay said.

The payment of the blood money was originally due on November 12, 2012, but was extended to March 12, 2013. It was then moved again to November 3, 2013.

Binay had warned that Zapanta's execution could take place anytime this January.

Read: OFW on Saudi death row may be executed this month - Binay

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.