The Palace declined to comment on the possible granting of clemency by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to Filipino worker Mary Jane Veloso, who has been on death row in Indonesia since 2010, as her repatriation to the Philippines nears.
Questions were raised to Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin regarding the President’s stance on granting Veloso a presidential pardon. Hen stated that while many possibilities remain, President Marcos is currently prioritizing Veloso's immediate and smooth repatriation.
"Nothing to say yet on what may happen. The Priority of PBBM is to have Veloso repatriated without delay," Bersamin said.
The Filipina Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) is set to return to the Philippines tomorrow following the Indonesian government’s approval to transfer jurisdiction.
Meanwhile, Veloso's family remains steadfast in their request for clemency from President Marcos Jr.
Indonesia previously expressed its commitment to respecting the Philippines' decision on Veloso's case upon her return, including the possibility of clemency, which will be determined solely by President Marcos Jr.
In a report by RH Leth Narciso, Veloso was fetched by personnel from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Bureau of Corrections in Indonesia.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), in its initial report, stated that Veloso would be promptly taken to the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City upon her arrival in the Philippines.
Earlier, the Palace confirmed that Veloso will return to the country, attributing the breakthrough to more than ten years of sustained talks, consultations, and diplomatic initiatives between the Philippines and Indonesia.
In 2010, Veloso was arrested by Indonesian authorities in Yogyakarta after 2.6 kilograms of heroin were found in her suitcase. She was later sentenced to death for drug trafficking.
