President Marcos has expressed profound gratitude to United Arab Emirates (UAE) President, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, for granting clemency to 115 Filipino convicts during Ramadan and Eid-Al-Fitr. 

In a statement on Saturday, March 29, the President said the timely pardon brings hope to the convicts’ families and signifies the UAE’s commitment to humanitarian values.

“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.

“On behalf of the Philippine government, we extend our sincerest thanks to President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for this compassionate act,” he added.

President Marcos stressed the importance of fostering strong ties with the UAE, highlighting the mutual respect and collaboration between the two nations. 

“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,” he said.

“As the Philippines celebrates this momentous occasion, both nations reaffirm their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, ensuring that such acts of kindness pave the way for continued cooperation and understanding in the years to come,” he added.

This was not the first time the UAE government extended such a gesture to Filipino convicts. The UAE pardoned 143 Filipinos during last year’s Eid-Al-Adha and 220 on the occasion of their National Day.

According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), the royal pardon also underscores the importance of compassion and second chances in the spirit of Ramadan.

“It is a sign of the UAE Government’s high respect for President Marcos,” it said.

“The gesture of compassion will spark a wave of relief and joy among the families of the pardoned convicts, many of whom have been separated from their loved ones for years,” it added.

The Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Manila directly communicated with the Department of Foreign Affairs-Office of the Middle East and African Affairs (OMEAA) on March 28, informing the DFA of the royal pardon and requesting assistance in relaying the names of those pardoned.