VICE President Jejomar Binay on Sunday appealed for donations to raise the P44-million blood money needed to save the life of Joselito Zapanta, an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who was meted the death penalty in Saudi Arabia.

“Our generosity especially during this season of sharing will go a long way in saving this young man’s life,” Binay said in his Christmas Message.

Zapanta was given until March next year to raise the blood money to save him from execution.

“As we celebrate the yuletide season, may we remember the true spirit of Christmas and share the love, hope, goodwill and peace to everyone,” said Binay.

A “Good Samaritan,” according to Binay has donated P1 million to the fund, while the families of Filipino workers abroad, in a Christmas party organized by the Blas F. Ople Center, pooled their money to help raise the blood money.

He also said that the provincial government of Pampanga has embarked on a similar fund drive for Zapanta, who hails from Bacolor, Pampanga.

The Vice President also asked for prayers for all OFWs, especially those who will spend Christmas away from their loved ones.

“May the Lord bless them and their families and always keep them safe,” he added.

In making his appeal for Zapanta, Binay said that the family of the 33-year-old overseas worker faces the biggest challenge of their lives, which is to raise the P44-million in four months to save their son from execution.

“Joselito’s mother is a 50-year-old housewife with her own health problems, while his father is a part-time carpenter whose age makes it difficult for him to compete for scarce jobs,” he said.

The Philippine government has deposited in Saudi Arabia the equivalent of P4 million, the standard amount allotted for blood money cases that qualify for government assistance.

“A few days ago, a kindhearted private individual donated P1 million that was immediately deposited in a Saudi bank account opened by the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh precisely for this purpose,” he said.

The government in Pampanga has also embarked on a fund-raising campaign for their “cabalen.”

Recently, 400 Filipino workers families in a Christmas party organized by the Blas F. Ople Center, a non-governmental organization, donated P7,900 to the Save Zapanta fund.

Zapanta went to Saudi Arabia in 2007 to work as a tile setter. Two years later, he killed his Sudanese landlord after an altercation.