An estimated 25 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are currently on death row, according to Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac.
Cacdac mentioned it during a review of the proposed budget of the DMW and its attached agencies for 2026.
“Right now, we have around 116 who have been convicted according to our records. With the death penalty right now, we have around 25 death row cases,” Cacdac said.
According to Cacdac, the number of OFWs on death row has decreased, especially in Malaysia, after the said country implemented a more lenient policy regarding the commutation of sentences.
He explained that the number has been drastically reduced from 50 to 60 after Malaysia became flexible in commuting sentences of death row cases.
The DMW also said it continues to offer legal and consular support to the OFW, who received a death sentence by hanging for putting her employer’s child into a washing machine, resulting in the child’s death.
The DMW, in collaboration with the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), said that it would continue to monitor the case involving the Filipino domestic worker to guarantee that her rights are safeguarded, notwithstanding the unfortunate event that took place in December of the previous year.
“The agency continues to work ‘behind-the-scenes’ with the DFA, Office of the President, and other concerned agencies to prevent executions and commute the sentences of Filipinos on death row,” Cacdac said.
