MANILA -- Malacanang remains optimistic in saving the lives of five Filipinos that are facing death penalty in China.

"We continue our efforts to use our diplomatic channel to appeal for the sentence of Filipinos on death row in China," said Presidential Communication Operations Secretary Sonny Coloma.

Coloma said best efforts are exerted while the government is also wary of not compromising national interest.

"We want to do everything to help them but the overall national interest should also be given priority," he stressed.(Jill Beltran/Sunnex)