VP Binay Remains Optimistic About China Trip

Vice President Jejomar C. Binay remains optimistic that China will allow him to visit Beijing to deliver President Aquino’s letter appealing for the commutation of the death sentence of a 35-year old Filipino.

“I remain optimistic. I feel that Beijing has not totally closed its doors to my visit so I can personally hand over the appeal of President Aquino,” Binay said in response to a statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry that the Supreme People’s Court ruling is final and executory, and that it is unable to arrange the visit of the Vice President at this time.

“As far as the judicial process is concerned, the decision is deemed final. But we are pursuing our appeal on humanitarian grounds, and the passionate plea of the family for compassion,” he added.

Binay has also implored the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) to ask all churches in the Philippines to offer Mass on Sunday for the Filipino set to be executed on December 8.

In a letter addressed to CBCP President Jose S. Palma, Binay expressed hope China will act favorably on the letter to be sent by the Episcopal Mission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People (EMPCMI) to the Chinese Embassy appealing for the commutation.

“It is our position that we can appeal for a change in the decision through political avenues starting from President Hu Jintao,” he added.

“As a Catholic, I have an unshakeable faith in the power of prayer, and if all Filipino Catholics storm the heavens with our common prayer for our kababayan, miracles can happen,” Binay said.