Senator Loren Legarda has expressed support for the 220 Filipinos imprisoned in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) who were recently pardoned by President Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

While she welcomed the gesture as a significant step toward justice, Legarda emphasized that the process of repatriation should not end with the release of the individuals but should be accompanied by long-term efforts to help them reintegrate into society and rebuild their lives in the Philippines.

“While we wholeheartedly welcome the release and impending repatriation of these 220 Filipinos, we must focus on ensuring they are provided with the necessary support to help them recover and reintegrate into society,” Legarda said.

The senator, known for her advocacy of sustainable development and social welfare, highlighted the importance of providing the pardoned individuals with adequate resources to be able to adapt back into their communities.

This includes access to livelihood programs and skills training that would enable them to find meaningful work and contribute positively to society.

To address this, Legarda pointed to programs such as the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DoLE) Kabuhayan Program and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority’s (TESDA) skills improvement initiatives.

These programs are designed to assist individuals gain new skills or improve existing ones, providing them with the tools they need to secure employment and achieve financial independence.

Further, Legarda stressed the families of the pardoned Filipinos, particularly their children, must also receive attention.

“Setting up scholarship programs for the children of the unemployed pardoned Filipinos is one concrete step in the road to reformation, to help them ease their financial burden,” she added.

Education, Legarda noted, is a critical part of a long-term rehabilitation, and supporting the educational needs of these children will give them a better chance for success, breaking the generational cycle of hardship or crime.

On Wednesday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said there was no confirmed date for the repatriation of the 220 Filipinos who were granted royal clemency during the UAE’s 53rd National Day celebration last month.

DFA Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Eduardo de Vega said the individuals were not being compelled to return, and no official repatriation schedule has been set.

De Vega said the pardoned individuals held work visas or had attained residency status in the UAE, and their offenses were relatively minor, described as “morally” related crimes.

These are not serious offenses that would typically lead to deportation after release. This suggests that the UAE government, in granting the pardon, recognized the relatively non-violent nature of the offenses, which makes the repatriation process smoother for those involved.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier announced the pardon and repatriation of the 220 Filipinos, which was a significant diplomatic and humanitarian gesture.

However, as the repatriation timeline remains unclear, there is a growing call for more attention to be paid to how these individuals will be assisted once they return to the Philippines.

The government has been encouraged to create programs that would offer comprehensive support, including psychological and social services, to help these individuals successfully reintegrate and thrive in their home country.