LET'S JUST WAIT FOR LANUZA'S RELEASE-VP BINAY URGES NGOs

Vice President Jejomar Binay

MANILA (OVP MEDIA) - Vice President Jejomar C. Binay has urged non-government organizations to stop giving unofficial deadlines on the date of Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) Rodelio "Dondon" Lanuza's release.

"Alam mo iyan ang nagiging problema. Naglalagay sila ng deadline. Paano ka magdedeadline hindi mo naman hawak iyon. Tapos nagagalit sila," Binay said in an interview at the Coconut Palace Tuesday.

According to the Vice President, these pronouncements are causing Lanuza's family unnecesary stress. He added that such pronouncements also unduly raise the public's expectations and give the impression that government is not acting on Lanuza's immediate release.

He added that the delays were uncontrollable on the part of the Philippine government.

"May mga pagkakataong wala iyong judge, nagbakasyon iyong judge, so ayaw galawin. Tapos na-overlook yong kulang na dapat pumirma doon sa affidavit. Mamaya naman napunta doon sa isang ministry, wala na naman iyong minister, anong magagawa natin?" he said.

He also said that the culture and bureaucratic processes of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia must be respected, especially in the month of Ramadan.

"Pero iyong magtampo at magalit tayo, mukha yatang hindi tama iyon," said Binay.

Binay also emphasized that gratitude is due the Saudi government, particularly the Saudi king who paid the balance of the blood money that Lanuza's family was unable to raise. The amount reached 27.8 million pesos (SAR 2.3 million). Lanuza's family was able to raise approximately P7.6 million (SAR 300,000).

"Ang sinasabi ko sa kanila, baka naman iyong medyo naiinip kayo o dumadating na sa yugto na kayo ay nagtatampo, huwag niyo lang kakalimutan ha, iyong hari ang nagbayad ng 27.8 million pesos," Binay said.

The Vice President also assured the family that Lanuza's release was final, but that they have to bear with the delays.

"Di ba ang gandang isipin na lamang na one thousand and one percent ay hindi na mai-execute ito," he added.

"So, sana huwag natin kalimutan iyon, na we have to live with their bureaucracy, pero we must always remember our indebtedness doon sa hari dahil sinagot niya iyong 27.8 million pesos," the Vice President reiterated.

(OVP MEDIA)