MANILA - Vice President Noli de Castro expressed disappointment with what he said was slow government action in bringing to justice those responsible for the massacre of at least 57 people in Maguindanao.

“Disappointed ako. Although may proseso 'yan at dapat may rule of law, pero sana bilisan nila," De Castro said.

De Castro earlier condemned the massacre and said he had talked to President Arroyo about the incident, fearing that delayed government action may result to retaliation.

“Sana huwag nilang ilagay ang batas sa kanilang kamay," he said.

De Castro was guest speaker during the Model OFW Family of the Year Awards of the Department of Labor and Employment and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) at the Hotel Sofitel in Pasay City.

“Sa dami ng mga nagmamahal sa mga OFW ngayon, sana hindi lang pag eleksyon. Sana di lang pang photo op pero okay na rin basta nakakatulong talaga sila sa OFW," the vice president who is also the presidential adviser on OFW said.

De Castro has yet to name the presidential aspirant he is willing to support in the coming 2010 elections.

He likewise assured OFWs that he will continue to help them even if he is no longer in office in 2010.

"Malalaman niyo 'yan kung magpa-file ako ng COC o hindi,” De Castro answered when asked if his statement was an indication of his intention to no longer join the political race.

Meanwhile, the Model OFW of the Year Award was given to 17 families of Filipino migrant workers for successfully instilling family values and raising their family well despite the distances that separates them.

This year’s national winners are former seafarer Capt. Emilio Bello and Engr. Rodolfo Lubis, past project Manager of Saudi Aramco. They both received P600,000 from Globe Philippines. With a report from Niña Corpuz, ABS-CBN News