Manila: Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III on Monday praised the recently signed agreements between the Philippines and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), saying these will further strengthen diplomatic and legal ties between the two countries.

According to Philippines News Agency, Pimentel cited the agreements on the Treaty on Extradition, the Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, and the Treaty on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons, all of which were signed at the sidelines of the World Governments Summit 2025 held in UAE from Feb. 11-13, 2025, in Dubai.

These treaties, he said, will help uphold the rule of law, ensure that fugitives will not be able to hide abroad, and safeguard overseas Filipino workers based in UAE. "We must act swiftly to enforce these agreements and maximize their benefits for our justice system, our diplomatic relations, and, most importantly, our people," he added.

Pimentel noted that the Treaty on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons will allow convicted Filipinos in the UAE to serve their sentences in the Philippines, which 'will help our fellow Filipinos serve their sentences closer to home, making rehabilitation more effective and humane.'

Pimentel, along with Special Envoy to the UAE for Trade and Investments Kathryna Yu Pimentel, were part of the Philippine delegation to the World Governments Summit, led by First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos.