MANILA, March 10 -- The Philippine government will ask Singapore to delay the scheduled March 17 execution of a Filipina domestic helper convicted of double murder, officials said Friday. Flor Contemplacion was convicted by the Singapore Supreme Court of killing four-year-old Singaporean Nicholas Wong and his Filipina nursemaid, Delia Maga, in 1991. But Emilia Frenilla, a former maid in Singapore, came out of hiding in Manila Thursday to give testimony Philippine officials believe is enough to at least delay Contemplacion's hanging. Frenilla said it was Nicholas' father, Wong Sing Kiong, who choked Maga to death in anger because the boy drowned in a tub of water during an epileptic seizure. But Frenilla said she is not an eyewitness. She became the housemaid of Wong Sing Kiong's brother after the death of Nicholas and his nursemaid, she said, and overheard the brothers plotting to pin the deaths on Contemplacion, who happened to be present when the incidents occurred. Frenilla said she has kept quiet all this time for fear that her former employer might take her life. She said she chose to speak up now because her conscience was bothering her. 'We are piecing together the facts that are surfacing, which may be the basis for an appropriate plea for reconsideration of deferment of the intended execution,' said Executive Secretary Teofisto Guingona. 'We are not asking them to act contrary to their judicial process. We are just asking them to take a second look at a possible miscarriage of justice.'
Meanwhile, Filipinos in the public and private sector have been putting pressure on Singapore to stop the scheduled hanging. Acting Labor Secretary Jose Brillantes said Frenilla's testimony should be enough to seek a reprieve for Contemplacion. International law expert Enrique Syquia added the testimony could be used as a basis for a 'stay of execution.' Members of cause-oriented and religious groups have been trooping to the Singapore Embassy in Manila demanding a 'new and fair trial' for Contemplacion. 'We are not asking for mercy. I know the Singaporean government does not understand mercy. We are demanding justice,' said Jesus Is Lord founder Eddie Villanueva, who has been leading about 300 members of Christian charismatic groups in rallies in front of the Singapore Embassy. Guingona said Contemplacion was apparently advised by a court- appointed Singaporean lawyer to plead guilty by reason of insanity. 'Her lawyer had her admit to the killings, thinking it would be easier for her to get clemency from the Supreme Court,' Guingona said. The Foreign Affairs Department has been under fire from various groups for 'failing' to help Contemplacion, a charge denied by former Philippine Consul to Singapore Elizabeth Buensuceso. 'Contemplacion admitted to the killings right from the start, despite my advice that she should not own up to anything until she gets proper legal representation,' Buensuceso said. The Philippines' opposition party has been using the Contemplacion case to discredit the government of President Fidel Ramos for failing to act on the Filipina's predicament prior to the sentencing of the Singapore Supreme Court.
