Gov’t eyes second appeal for Pinay on death row

MANILA, Philippines - All legal and diplomatic avenues are being explored to save from the firing squad in Indonesia convicted Filipina drug smuggler Mary Jane Veloso, the government said yesterday.

Speaking to reporters, spokesman Charles Jose said the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is in consultation with Veloso’s lawyer and looking at the possibility of a second appeal for judicial review.

“Last week we confirmed that our appeal for judicial review was denied by the Supreme Court of Indonesia but we are not losing hope,” he said. “We are still exploring all legal and diplomatic avenues that could help us save the life of Mary Jane.”

A second appeal is being considered for a better appreciation of the case, although death penalty cases in Indonesia are entitled to at least one judicial review, Jose said.

In her application for judicial review, which the Indonesian Supreme Court had denied, Veloso’s lawyers had reportedly argued that she was not given a capable translator during her first trial.

Judges on Wednesday rejected Veloso’s application for a review of her sentence, but the Indonesian Supreme Court’s website gave no details.

Veloso was caught at Yogyakarta airport on the main island of Java carrying 2.6 kilograms (5.73 pounds) of heroin on a flight from Malaysia in April 2010.

OFWs want to remain in Yemen

Meanwhile, Jose said many overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) prefer to remain in Yemen based on the small number responding to the   government’s mandatory repatriation.

“Although alert level 4 says it is mandatory repatriation but at the end of the day, it is still their personal decision whether or not they would like to come back to the Philippines or remain in Yemen,” he said.

“Based on the response that we are getting, it seems that many of them would prefer to stay.”

Jose said the Crisis Management Team is still in Yemen coordinating with the Filipino community in trying to get more Filipinos to register for repatriation.

“According to the latest count we have about 800 Filipinos in Yemen – 54 have registered for repatriation and we are making arrangements to bring them back and 70 have already been repatriated to the Philippines,” he said.

Last week, OFWs refusing to leave Yemen were advised to text their waiver to the Philippine embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The   government is ready to shoulder the penalties or fees for the OFWs’ lapsed visas.

They will be given free tickets back to the Philippines.

Embassy representatives met recently with the Filipino community in Sana’a to renew their call for them to leave Yemen immediately due to the unstable political and security situation.