Will Mary Jane get presidential pardon?

Palace mum; Marcos says Philippines celebrating

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang remained mum yesterday on calls to grant a presidential pardon to Filipino death row convict Mary Jane Veloso, saying only that her return to the country was President Marcos’ top priority.

Veloso arrives in Manila today, 14 years after being arrested and imprisoned in Indonesia for drug trafficking.

“We are celebrating already,” Marcos told reporters yesterday.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin declined to talk about the possibility of the President granting pardon to the 39-year-old mother of two.

“Nothing to say yet on what may happen. The priority of PBBM (President Bongbong Marcos) is to have Veloso repatriated without delay,” Bersamin told reporters in a text message.

Speaking to reporters at Malacañang yesterday afternoon, Bersamin said it is premature to discuss the granting of clemency.

“It’s premature, I have yet to see the documents. So I cannot address that,” Bersamin said when asked if the Indonesian government requested for a period of time to serve her sentence before Marcos grants her clemency.

Asked whether the President would meet Veloso, Bersamin said, “We do not know. Because she must first arrive here before we can make a move.”

Veloso’s homecoming was made possible by the adoption of the Indonesian government of its new policy allowing the transfer of custody over foreign prisoners to their countries of nationality.

On Dec. 6, the Philippines and Indonesia signed an agreement on the transfer of Veloso back to the Philippines, where she will serve the remainder of her sentence.

Veloso was arrested in Yogyakarta in 2010 after authorities discovered over 2.6 kilograms of heroin in her suitcase. She was nearly executed by firing squad in 2015, but got a reprieve after the late president Benigno Aquino III appealed to the Indonesian government, arguing she could be a vital witness in prosecuting drug syndicates.

Two of Veloso’s alleged illegal recruiters, Cristina Sergio and Julius Lacanlinao, were convicted for large-scale illegal recruitment in 2020 and were sentenced to life imprisonment.

Veloso may be detained in the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City upon her transfer to the Philippines.

Department of Justice (DOJ) spokesman Mico Clavano earlier said Indonesia has agreed to relinquish both physical and legal custody of Veloso to the Philippines.

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Indonesian government was open to the possible eventual grant of clemency to Veloso in the Philippines.

In a recent interview with Agence France-Presse from prison, Veloso described her transfer to the Philippines from Indonesia as a “miracle.”

On Monday, OFW party-list Rep. Marissa Magsino filed a resolution asking Marcos to grant presidential pardon to Veloso.

For its part, Department of Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said they are ready to give medical assistance to Veloso,

Quarantine, orientation

The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) announced on Tuesday that Veloso, upon her return to the Philippines, will undergo a mandatory five-day quarantine at the Correctional Institution for Women as part of the standard protocol for newly committed prisoners.

Veloso will be housed at the Reception and Diagnostic Center for up to 60 days, starting with a five-day quarantine for medical observation and examination.

This will be followed by a 55-day orientation period, where she will undergo diagnostic evaluations, initial security classification and orientation on the rules, programs and privileges inside the corrections facility.

During the quarantine, Veloso will be placed in a standard quarantine cell, where she will receive medical and physical examinations to assess her overall health.

She will also be interviewed by CIW officials to complete her registration and provide a list of authorized visitors.

“After the five-day quarantine period which will fall on Dec. 24, Veloso’s immediate family can visit her in time for Christmas, providing a rare moment of connection during this transitional period,” BuCor director general Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. confirmed.

Appeal

Migrante International has called on the government to allow the family of Veloso to welcome her when she returns from Indonesia today.

“After her grueling years in jail, it is but humane that she sees her mother, father and children when she arrives on Philippine soil,” Migrante International chair Joanna Concepcion said.

The National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL) remains hopeful President Marcos would not allow Veloso to stay longer in a detention facility and instead grant her executive clemency.

The NUPL, which has been representing Veloso and her family, sees no hurdle for Marcos to grant pardon to Veloso.

“We are not seeing any moral, legal hurdle for an absolute pardon. As soon as possible, we hope President Marcos makes an announcement. We hope it comes before Christmas,” NUPL chairman Edre Olalia said over radio dwPM.

Olalia pleaded with the government to allow Veloso’s parents, Cesar and Celia, to welcome her at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport instead of at the Correctional Institute for Women as advised by the DOJ.

“We will continue to appeal to their good hearts – consistent with Filipino culture, tradition and sensitivity and in the spirit of the season – to allow the family to meet her at the airport, even privately for a short immediate reunion and quick hug at least,” he said.

Militant group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) also echoed Olalia’s call, saying the people who Veloso should see upon her arrival at the airport are her parents.

Bayan president Renato Reyes said it is the humane thing for the government to do, apart from giving Veloso pardon. “Clemency must be given to her when she arrives. Government should bring her home before Christmas,” he said over Viber.

Former Bayan Muna congressman Carlos Zarate also called on Philippine authorities to show compassion. “Mary Jane Veloso is not a criminal but a victim of human trafficking. Her homecoming should not be treated as a prisoner transfer but as the return of a Filipino who has suffered enough,” Zarate said.

Aside from a reunion, the Kabataan party-list is calling for a presidential clemency for Mary Jane, and termination of the labor export policy.

“The case of Mary Jane mirrored the situation of the thousands of young Filipinos who are forced to work abroad because of the lack of opportunity in the Philippines,” Kabataan spokesperson Renee Co said.

For his part, Kabayan party-list Rep. Ron Salo lauded President Marcos for the successful negotiation of Veloso’s return, saying Marcos has shown his dedication to Filipino migrant workers.

“President Marcos has demonstrated remarkable leadership and compassion by ensuring Mary Jane’s safe return. This decisive action reflects his commitment to addressing the hardships endured by our migrant workers,” Salo said. — Mayen Jaymalin, Emmanuel Tupas, Jose Rodel Clapano, Rhodina Villanueva, Christine Boton