China declines PHL request for VP Binay mercy mission

The People's Republic of China said it is  "unable to arrange the visit of Vice President Binay to China at this time,"  the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Saturday.

 

DFA Spokesman Raul Hernandez said Beijing also informed Manila that "the verdict of the Supreme People's Court of China is final and executory."

 

However, the DFA assured "it will do everything to assist family of the convicted Filipino national" and still holds out hope that Binay "will be allowed by the Chinese authorities to go to Beijing to personally handover the letter of appeal of President Aquino and to request for the commutation of sentence on humanitarian and compassionate grounds." In an interview on GMA News' “Balitanghali," Binay maintained he is prepared to do what is needed to save the Filipino’s life. “Basta lamang makatanggap tayo ng mensahe sa kanila na ako ay pwede na pumunta doon," he said. He said that while the Philippines respects the decision of China’s Supreme People’s Court in affirming the Filipino’s death sentence, he will make an appeal on “humanitarian" grounds. Binay said he is adopting the optimist’s approach, since there are still a few days to go before the scheduled execution. He also downplayed claims that he would not be allowed to go to Beijing to plead for the Filipino’s life, saying there are still some days to go before Dec. 8. “Ang sinasabing di ako matatatanggap, ang huling statement by this time, e ang haba ng antayan natin ... Hindi tayo titigil sa pag-apela," he said. “Kung magkakaroon ng optimistic approach, baka pwede pa magbago sa Lunes, Martes o Miyerkules," he added. — ELR, GMA News