Philippine President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III has pledged a substantial amount to help raise blood money to save overseas Filipino worker Joselito Zapanta from execution.

“On our part, the president himself agreed to donate a large amount of money. We think the amount is really generous,” Vice President Jejomar Binay told local media.

Zapanta was convicted by a local court of killing his Sudanese landlord, Imam Ibrahim, over a rental dispute in 2010. Saudi law allows a person to escape the death penalty if the victim's family accepts blood money payment.

Binay, who is the presidential adviser on OFW concerns, declined to announce the amount, but said “that they are optimistic regarding a large amount of money to be raised.”

Ibrahim's family wants Zapanta to pay SR4 million, equivalent to 48 million pesos, in blood money.

The vice president said that they will push for a compromise.

“Lets pray that there is still a way to reach a compromise because the family demands that the full amount be paid in exchange for a 'tanazul,' or affidavit of forgiveness, which will save Zapanta from being executed,” Binay said.

The amount was supposed to have been delivered on Nov. 12, 2012, but the deadline was extended to March 12, 2013 and later to Nov. 3, 2013.

Donations may be made to the Philippine Embassy's sub-account at the Saudi Hollandi Bank:

Account Number: 037-040-790-022

International Bank Account Number (IBAN): SA 61-5000-0000-0370-4079-0022

Swift Code: AAALSARI.