President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. shared some wonderful news on Saturday—115 Filipinos who were convicted in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have been granted royal pardons ahead of Eid’l Fitr, the special holiday marking the end of Ramadan.
A Heartfelt Thank You to the UAE
In a statement, President Marcos expressed his deep gratitude to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for this compassionate decision.
“This gesture reflects the special bond between our countries. The UAE is home to nearly one million Filipinos, and I personally share a warm friendship and mutual respect with Sheikh Mohamed,” Marcos said.
The UAE has been very generous in the past as well. Last year, they pardoned:
143 Filipinos during Eid-Al-Adha 220 Filipinos on UAE’s National Day
This act of kindness shows the strong friendship between the Philippines and the UAE.
DFA Notified of the Pardon
On Friday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) received the official notification from the UAE Embassy in Manila. The UAE also requested help from the Philippines to relay the names of those who were pardoned to their families.
A Celebration of Forgiveness & Friendship
Eid’l Fitr is expected to be celebrated on March 31, marking a time of forgiveness and new beginnings. President Marcos emphasized that this act of generosity further strengthens the partnership between the two nations.
“As the Philippines celebrates this occasion, both nations reaffirm their commitment to cooperation and understanding, ensuring that kindness continues to bring our countries closer together,” Marcos said.
This great news brings hope and joy, especially to the families of those pardoned Filipinos who will soon be reunited with their loved ones. 
