Marcos thanks UAE as 115 Filipinos receive ‘Ramadan’ clemency
Metro Manila, Philippines - The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has granted clemency to 115 Filipinos in time for Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. confirmed Saturday, calling it a testament to the strong ties between the two nations.
“The UAE Ambassador in Manila has personally informed us that for this season's Ramadan and Eid-al-Fitr, no less than 115 convicted Filipinos have been set free,” Marcos said.
He expressed deep gratitude to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, emphasizing the special relationship between the Philippines and the Gulf nation.
“This gesture is a reflection of our countries' special partnership, as embodied in the nearly one million Filipinos who have made the Emirates their home and in the warm personal friendship and mutual respect between myself as the leader of the Filipino people and Sheikh Mohamed as the leader of the Emiratis.”
The UAE has a history of extending clemency to Filipinos. Last year, 143 were pardoned for Eid al-Adha, while 220 others were granted amnesty on the UAE’s National Day.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Embassy in the UAE and the Consulate General in Dubai also lauded the UAE leadership for its generosity, calling it “an act of generosity and compassion [that] exemplifies the true spirit of mercy during the sacred occasion of Ramadan.”
The embassy, consulate, and Migrant Workers Offices in Abu Dhabi and Dubai have vowed to assist in the safe return of those pardoned. However, the Philippine government has yet to release their names.
Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan, is expected to fall on March 31 in the Philippines, with the Bangsamoro Darul-Ifta already conducting moon sightings to confirm the date.
The UAE remains one of the top destinations for Filipino migrant workers, hosting 13.6 percent of the 2.16 million registered OFWs in 2023, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.
Marcos reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to strengthening ties with the UAE, ensuring continued cooperation and support for overseas Filipinos in the region.
