Clemency for OFWs amid Ramadan urged
KABAYAN Party-list Rep. Ron P. Salo is calling on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to intensify their efforts in advocating for executive clemency of overseas Filipinos convicted of crimes, as the holy month of Ramadan draws to a close.
The chairman of the House committee on overseas workers affairs emphasized that the conclusion of Ramadan, a period of reflection, forgiveness and renewal in the Islamic faith, presents a favorable time for seeking pardon.
“As Ramadan nears its end, we urge the DFA and Philippine Embassies in Muslim countries to make the necessary representation and actively intercede on behalf of our kababayans who are facing sentences abroad,” Salo stated.
Data from the DFA as of March 2023 reveals a critical situation: 83 overseas Filipinos are on death row while 1,267 are detained, with the majority of these cases in the Middle East and Muslim countries.
Highlighting the traditional acts of royal clemency by Muslim leaders during Ramadan, which include the commutation of sentences or complete pardons, the overseas Filipino worker (OFW) rights advocate believes that such gestures of goodwill align with the values of compassion and forgiveness emphasized during the holy month.
The veteran lawmaker also called for a concerted effort from all stakeholders, including other government agencies such as the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and Commission on Filipinos Overseas, non-government organizations and the families of the convicted individuals, to support the DFA in their diplomatic endeavors.
“It is a collective effort that requires the support and prayers of our entire nation. We stand in solidarity with our overseas Filipinos and their families during this challenging time, hoping for their eventual return to our home,” Salo concluded.
