The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) revealed that 25 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are currently on death row in various countries, with government efforts ongoing to appeal and save their lives.
During the Senate Subcommittee on Finance deliberations for the agency’s proposed 2026 budget, DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said they are “working very hard” with the Office of the President and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to assist the affected Filipinos.
“Sa ngayon po meron tayong around 116 who have been convicted ayon sa talaan natin. Sa death penalty right now we have around 25 death row cases,” Cacdac said.
He added that the number has significantly decreased from about 50 to 60 cases after Malaysia showed flexibility in commuting death sentences.
“Si President din po very concerned with the death row cases and we have been working quietly to hold the executions at bay and tama po kayo, ma-commute yung sentences na yun, if not mapawalang sala completely,” he said.
Cacdac also noted that DMW lawyers are handling 1,106 cases involving OFWs around the world. On average, three to four lawyers per firm handle these cases, though the department plans to hire more if given additional funding.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, expressed full support for the initiative, urging the DMW to submit its request for additional funds to strengthen legal aid for OFWs.
