Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Wednesday lauded President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. for strengthening the bonds of friendship and cooperation between the Philippines and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a press release from the House of Representatives said.
“The President’s cultivation of our strong ties with the UAE is what prompted UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed to recently grant pardon to 143 Filipinos,” the leader of the 300-plus-strong House of Representatives said.
Romualdez said he looks forward to closer and stronger ties between the Philippines and UAE.
President Marcos Jr. has revealed that he has talked to his UAE counterpart over the phone to thank him for pardoning 143 Filipinos and for the assistance the Arab country has given the Philippines following recent typhoons.
Romualdez also thanked the UAE president “for his kind gesture in pardoning our compatriots and in giving them a second chance at rehabilitating and improving themselves.”
The Speaker said the presidential pardon “brought immense relief to our compatriots and their loved ones, and further strengthened the bonds of friendship between our two countries.”
“We hope we could reciprocate their kindness in the future, even in terms of our country providing them with their labor requirements and our OFWs rendering efficient and excellent service,” he added.*