President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Saturday expressed his gratitude to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), especially its President, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, for granting clemency to 115 Filipino nationals during the Holy Month of Ramadan and Eid-Al-Fitr.

In a statement, Marcos said he received the good news from the UAE Ambassador to the Philippines.

“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,” the President said.

Marcos recalled the same gesture of the UAE in 2024 when 143 Filipinos were pardoned on Eid-Al-Adha and another 220 Filipinos on the occasion of their National Day on 2 December.

“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,” Marcos said.

Appreciated gesture

“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.

The pardons, Marcos said, was a reaffirmation of the commitment of both Manila and Abu Dhabi to strengthen bilateral relations, ensuring that such acts of kindness pave the way for continued cooperation and understanding in the years to come.

The President also underscored the importance of fostering strong ties with the UAE, highlighting the mutual respect and collaboration between the two nations.

The Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Manila coordinated with the Department of Foreign Affairs-Office of the Middle East and African Affairs on Friday, requesting assistance in relaying the names of the pardoned Filipinos.