KUWAIT : "We're all set for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's visit on Sunday. All arrangements have been properly coordinated with the Amiri Diwan and we would like to thank His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah for making this possible despite the short notice," disclosed Philippine Ambassador to Kuwait Ricardo Endaya to the Arab Times on Saturday after holding a final briefing with all the embassy staff. Endaya who has been very busy since last week arranging Arroyo's visit was on top of everything as he checked and confirmed the designated tasks of the embassy staff, to ensure that all things are in order for the Philippines President visit on Sunday.
Arroyo will be in Kuwait to meet with HH the Amir to personally appeal the case of Marilou Ranario, the Filipino domestic worker whose death sentence was upheld last week by the Kuwait Court of Cassation for killing her female employer. Reliable sources disclosed that Arroyo will also present the tanazul or letter forgiveness duly signed by the victim's heirs. Arroyo, accompanied by a 120-member delegation will be flying from Sevilla, Spain and is expected to arrive in Kuwait midday and will only be staying here for about three to four hours. Endaya stated that a state banquet will be hosted by HH the Amir at the Bayan Palace in honour of Arroyo. Aside from Ranario's case, the two leaders will also discuss bilateral trade relations as well as the welfare of over 130,00 Overseas Filipino Workers in Kuwait. The President and her delegation will be flying back to Manila on Sunday afternoon.
Meanwhile, Filipinos in Kuwait view Arroyo's visit as a sign of hope for Ranario. "This is a very positive sign and we hope that with the tanazul, Ranario will be pardoned by HH the Amir," stated Mohammad Sadain, a Filipino working in one of the fast food chains in Kuwait City. "We hope that our President's visit will be the answer to all our prayers for Marilou Ranario. We also pray that the Kuwaiti leadership will look into the personal circumstances of Ranario," stated OFW-Operation Tulong President Antonio Trono who led the signature campaign to spare Ranario from the gallows. Trono's group submitted on Saturday to Philippine Embassy Administrative Officer Tomara Muamar Ayo, a folder containing a letter of appeal to HH the Amir signed by over 3,000 OFWs in Kuwait. "We are not losing hope as we continue to pray for Ranario's life," pointed out Trono.
By Michelle Fe Santiago
© Arab Times 2007
