Palace: Not yet time to relax over case of 3 Pinoys in China

While it managed to buy some extra time for three Filipinos sentenced to death in China for drug trafficking, the government asked all Filipinos on Saturday to maintain their solidarity to save the convicts from Death Row. Deputy presidential spokeswoman Abigail Valte also declined to comment on speculations of supposed “concessions" the Philippine government made for the stay in the execution of the three. “First of all, we must continue showing our solidarity with the three Filipinos on Death Row in China. On this matter we are waiting for the report of Vice President Jejomar Binay on the matter," Valte said in Filipino in an interview on government-run dzRB radio. Malacañang earlier asked Filipinos to offer prayers to save Sally Ordinario, 32; Ramon Credo, 42; and Elizabeth Batain, 38, from execution. Last Feb. 11, China’s Supreme People’s Court affirmed the death sentences on the three for drug trafficking. On Friday, a Philippine delegation led by Binay managed to convince Chinese officials to stay the executions. When asked if there were concessions for the stay in the execution, Valte declined to make a comment, but said "it's better to wait for Vice President Binay's statement." “Mas mabuting hintayin natin ang pahayag ni Vice President Binay. Siya ang nagpunta at nakipagusap sa opisyal ng China," she said. On the other hand, Valte downplayed calls for stronger laws against drug trafficking in the Philippines, saying it is only a matter of strict implementation of our laws. — LBG, GMA News