Camille Naredo

OFWs from Qatar arrive at NAIA Terminal 3 on March 15, 2026. Photo courtesy of the DMW

OFWs from Qatar arrive at NAIA Terminal 3 on March 15, 2026.

Article (news)

Jervis Manahan

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1773652877952653702441_1231280029172460_209661964750595761_n.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="OFWs from Qatar arrive at NAIA Terminal 3 on March 15, 2026. Photo courtesy of the DMW" width="960"/>OFWs from Qatar arrive at NAIA Terminal 3 on March 15, 2026. Photo courtesy of the DMW</div>MANILA — Vice President Sara Duterte hit President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for his supposed &quot;lack of empathy&quot; for the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the Middle East repatriated by the government.Marcos did not attend the welcoming ceremony for the repatriated OFWs in the two government chartered flights that arrived over the weekend.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/15/more-than-300-arrive-from-riyadh-as-repatriation-flights-continue-1101">READ: More than 300 arrive from Riyadh as repatriation flights continue</a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/14/government-chartered-flight-for-repatriates-from-middle-east-lands-in-naia-1836">READ: Government-chartered flight for repatriates from Middle East lands in NAIA</a></div>&quot;Marami siyang kakulangan bilang Presidente. Hindi lamang sa pagbibigay ng simpatya at empathy sa ating mga kababayan. More than that ay ‘yung problema at iskandalo sa paggamit ng pera ng bayan,&quot; Duterte said.Palace Press Officer Claire Castro earlier addressed Marcos&#x27; absence, saying the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is on top of the government repatriation efforts.&quot;Nandyan po ang DMW at OWWA (Overseas Workers Welfare Administration) na siyang inutusan ng Pangulo na mag asikaso at tumulong sa ating mga kababayan habang ang Pangulo ay mayroon din mga importanteng ginagampanan para ayusin ang mga karagdagang programa at tulong sa ating kababayan para maibsan ang impact  sa ating bansa ng mga nangyayari sa Middle East,&quot; said Castro.Duterte said she is sympathizing with the situation of the distressed OFWs.&quot;Nakikiisa tayo sa pinagdadaanan ng karamihan nating mga kababayan na Overseas Filipino Workers dahil sa kaguluhan dahil sa giyera doon sa Middle East. At kung ano man iyong matulong ng Office of the Vice President, ay gagawin namin. Ipaalam lang sa amin paano kami makakatulong,&quot; Duterte said.Duterte earlier hit Marcos for his alleged inaction on the Middle East conflict, saying it should have been easy to send a chartered flight.She said they have an ongoing project where displaced OFWs may benefit.&quot;Yung projects ng Office of the Vice President, meron tayong “RIICE” na tinatawag. Ito ‘yung “Relief for Indigents and Individuals in Crises and Emergencies,&quot; she said.

Vice President Sara Duterte hit President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for his supposed "lack of empathy" for the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the Middle East repatriated by the government.

Vice President Sara Duterte hit President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for his supposed "lack of empathy" for the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the Middle East repatriated by the government.

Duterte criticizes Marcos anew for 'lack of empathy' for Middle East OFWs

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Duterte criticizes Marcos anew for 'lack of empathy' for Middle East OFWs

Jervis Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 16, 2026 05:23 PM PHT

Read More:

Sara Duterte

Office of the Vice President

Middle East

Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

OFW

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