Mary Jane coming home, says Marcos Jr.

MANILA, Philippines  - After more than a decade of diplomatic efforts spanning three administrations, Mary Jane Veloso is finally “coming home,” where she will continue to serve her prison term in accordance with a landmark arrangement with Jakarta, President Marcos announced on Wednesday.

In 2010, Veloso was arrested and convicted for carrying 2.6 kilograms of heroin concealed in a suitcase.

She was nearly executed by firing squad in 2015, but got a reprieve due to years of pleadings from the Philippine government.

“Mary Jane Veloso is coming home,” Marcos said in a statement yesterday.

“After over a decade of diplomacy and consultations with the Indonesian government, we managed to delay her execution long enough to reach an agreement to finally bring her back to the Philippines,” he said.

Marcos thanked Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and the Indonesian government for their goodwill.

He said the possible return of 39-year-old Veloso to the country is a “reflection” of the depth of relations between the two nations, “united in a shared commitment to justice and compassion.”

“Thank you, Indonesia. We look forward to welcoming Mary Jane home,” the President said. Marcos made the announcement as the Philippine and Indonesian governments are still discussing details of Veloso’s transfer.

In a statement, Indonesia’s chief minister for law and human rights Yusril Ihza Mahendra said Veloso will be transferred in December.

No written agreement yet

At a Palace press briefing, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said there is no written agreement yet regarding Veloso’s repatriation.

“If you mean there’s a written agreement, there’s no answer so far. But they were the ones who approached us to talk about this, so we’re extremely confident it will happen,” De Vega said.

“So just matter of the details I cannot give you confirmation as to when she’ll be home, what are the conditions for her to be detained here except eventually the goal would be not just for her to be transferred but for the President to be able to issue clemency – our President,” he said.

De Vega clarified that the Indonesian government has not requested “any payback” for Veloso’s extradition to the Philippines.

He added that they hope Veloso may come home by Christmas. “Although it is not yet finalized, let us pray that Mary Jane can come home by Christmas. We pray that it will be totally a success and not delayed. No promises, but we hope it is done by Christmas,” De Vega said.

De Vega likewise noted that Indonesia is open to the eventual grant of clemency by the Philippine president.

“There are two options; we will request that she’s here for the official release from detention, from the Indonesian criminal procedure system. Or another one, they were allowing our President to issue the clemency,” the DFA official said.

“Of course, that would be an incredible bonus as well, it’s already great that they (are) transferring (her) here. But that is certainly possible, but it will be a President issuing clemency,” he added.

Department of Justice spokesman Mico Clavano said the DOJ has formally requested the repatriation of Veloso back to the Philippines and is awaiting the response of the Indonesian government.

Clavano added that the legal custody of Veloso would remain with Indonesia after her return to the Philippines, which means she would continue to serve her sentence here.

One of the facilities where Veloso would likely be detained is the Correctional Institute for Women in Mandaluyong City.

Thankful

The parents of Veloso, Cesar and Delia Veloso, thanked Marcos for the possible return of their daughter to the country. Veloso’s mother, however, appealed for her daughter’s freedom.

“I am thankful to our President, for a very long time God listened to our prayers. I really hope that Mary Jane will be able to come home. I hope that she will not be imprisoned anymore,” Delia said in a radio interview.

Assistance

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is providing Veloso and her family with all necessary assistance.

“We stand ready when she arrives. We will make an effort to visit her and look into her well-being and provide the necessary assistance to her, whatever is needed under the circumstances,” Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac said during the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon public forum on Wednesday.

Cacdac said the DMW is communicating with the Veloso family, particularly looking into the welfare of both the OFW and her family.

He said the DMW is also coordinating with the Departments of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and Justice to determine whether the family will be allowed to visit the OFW.

Lawmakers cheer

In both houses of Congress, lawmakers have commended government efforts for securing the return of Veloso to the country.

“I commend President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for his resolute leadership and compassionate heart in bringing Mary Jane home. This achievement highlights the President’s firm commitment to protecting and upholding the rights of our overseas Filipino workers, even in the most difficult of circumstances,” Speaker Martin Romualdez said.

Senate President Francis Escudero thanked Marcos for helping Veloso come home after over a decade in detention.

“We also owe our immense gratitude to President Prabowo Subianto and to the entire Indonesian government for its compassion. Mary Jane has spent over a third of her life in prison and every day of those 14 years, not knowing if it will be her last. We look forward to welcoming Mary Jane back to the Philippines,” Escudero said.

“I commend the ongoing efforts of Malacañang to facilitate the return of Mary Jane Veloso to our country. This initiative reflects the administration’s commitment to safeguarding the welfare and dignity of every Filipino, particularly those who find themselves in challenging circumstances abroad,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada.

Sen. Grace Poe said she, as finance committee chairperson, ensured that the proposed P6.352-trillion national budget has enough funds to assist distressed OFWs and prevent another incident like Veloso’s ordeal.

“We laud the mutual effort of the Philippine and Indonesian governments for making Mary Jane Veloso’s homecoming possible. The welfare of our OFWs is a matter of great importance. It is incumbent upon concerned government agencies to safeguard our migrant workers and guarantee their rights,” Poe said.

Meanwhile, Sen. Joel Villanueva urged the DMW and the DFA to help the 44 other OFWs who, like Veloso, are on death row.

Villanueva said the Senate allocated P1.3 billion to assist distressed OFWs.

Clemency

The National Union of People’s Lawyers urged President Marcos to grant clemency to Veloso.

“Even as we continue to pray that Mary Jane will really set foot back in our homeland soon, we call on President Marcos to accord her immediate clemency on humanitarian grounds and as a matter of justice,” said NUPL chairman Edre Olalia, whose group served as the private counsel for Veloso and her family in her ordeal in Indonesia.

Migrante International also said Marcos should grant clemency to Veloso as she is a victim of human trafficking.

House Minority Leader and ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro said aside from granting clemency to Veloso, the government should also facilitate the immediate prosecution of Veloso’s recruiters.

Assistant minority leader and Gabriela Women’s party Rep. Arlene Brosas said Veloso must be granted clemency. She also called on Marcos to ensure extending comprehensive support to Veloso and her family, such as livelihood assistance, psychological support and legal aid to pursue cases against her traffickers.

For his part, Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate called on Marcos to extend a presidential pardon or commutation of sentence to Veloso.

Tingog party-list Rep. Jude Acidre joined yesterday his fellow congressmen in celebrating Veloso’s impending homecoming, saying: “As chairman of the House committee on overseas worker affairs, I share in the joy of Mary Jane’s family and advocates as we prepare to welcome her back after more than a decade of hardship and uncertainty on death row in Indonesia.”

Former Gabriela women’s party-list representative Liza Maza also lauded the Marcos administration in securing the agreement for Veloso’s transfer of custody. She emphasized justice will only be reached for Veloso if her traffickers are held accountable.

Meanwhile, an official of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) reminded the public about the plight of over 40 other Filipinos also on death row abroad.

“As we rejoice in Mary Jane’s return, let us also extend our thoughts and prayers to the more than 40 Filipinos who remain on death row and are awaiting trial abroad. Their plight is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by our compatriots in foreign lands,” said Antipolo Bishop Ruperto Santos, vice chairman of the CBCP-Episcopal Commission on Migrants and Itinerant People.  – Mayen Jaymalin, Delon Porcalla, Emmanuel Tupas, Marc Jayson Cayabyab, Pia Lee-Brago, Jose Rodel Clapano, Evelyn Macairan