Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III on Tuesday, June 17 called on the Marcos administration to remain neutral even as the conflict between Israel and Iran escalates. 

Pimentel said the best that the Philippine government can do as Israel and Iran continue to trade strikes is for it to be impartial.

“Let’s not take sides,” Pimentel said in a Kapihan sa Senado forum.

According to Pimentel, the government should serve as a bridge for a peaceful resolution of the armed conflict between the two countries.

“We should never enjoy war. We should never encourage war. We need to adopt policies which will minimize the possibility of war,” he said. 

Pimentel, whose Senate term is ending on June 30, 2025, also said he hopes that the last three years of the Marcos administration will succeed.

He also vowed to help the present administration “as much as we can.”

“I would like to emphasize that even if you are a private citizen you can still help the country,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, Sen. Joel Villanueva commended the efforts of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in ensuring the welfare and safety of Filipinos in Israel and Iran. 

“While it is important to carefully consider the timing of our actions in light of the evolving situation, there is also a pressing need for a response that is both timely and urgent especially given reports of injured Filipinos amid the escalating tensions between the two countries and the reported 13 OFWs who wanted to be repatriated,” Villanueva said.

Moreover, he said the agencies involved must be ready with alternative land-based repatriation routes for those OFWs who wanted to be repatriated immediately, and should mass repatriation be required by the situation.

“During the budget deliberations, we ensured that the DMW has sufficient resources for emergency scenarios such as this. Under the 2025 General Appropriations Act, the AKSYON Fund allocated to the DMW stands at ₱1.2 billion,” Villanueva noted. 

“In light of these unforeseen developments, it is crucial that our agencies have adequate funding to allow them the flexibility to act swiftly and decisively during emergencies,” he suggested. 

Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go also made the same call, urging the DFA and DMW to implement all necessary measures to ensure the safety and welfare of Filipinos who may be affected by the conflict.

With thousands of overseas Filipino workers in the Middle East, Go underscored the importance of timely government response and close coordination with Philippine embassies.

Thus, he said it is important for the government to intensify its monitoring efforts and prepare for potential contingencies. 

Even if no Filipino casualties have been reported, Go said preparedness must not wait for the worst-case scenario.

“We do not know what may happen, but we hold the responsibility to make sure our people outside of this country are safe,” Go said.