Philippine President Expresses Gratitude to Cambodian King for Pardoning 13 Filipino Surrogates

In a heartfelt acknowledgment, Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. thanked Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni for the royal pardon granted to 13 Filipino women convicted of illegal surrogacy in Cambodia. The expression of gratitude came during a bilateral meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet at Malacañan Palace in Manila. President Marcos highlighted the joy of the Filipino surrogates being able to return home after receiving the pardon, emphasizing it as a symbol of the robust relationship between the Philippines and Cambodia. He assured continued cooperation in combating transnational crimes and their detrimental impacts on both nations’ communities. The royal pardon, issued on December 26, 2024, followed a plea from the Philippine Embassy and was supported by the Cambodian government. The women had been prosecuted under Cambodia’s 2008 Law on the Suppression of Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation for their involvement in a surrogacy operation, which has been illegal in Cambodia since 2016. In a joint statement post-meeting, Marcos also appreciated the Cambodian government’s efforts in ensuring the safety and well-being of the pardoned surrogates. He further extended a warm invitation to Cambodians to visit the Philippines as tourists, investors, business partners, and friends.