Malacañang welcomed the decision of the Supreme Court (SC) to let detained overseas Filipino worker (OFW) Mary Jane Veloso testify against her alleged illegal recruiters and prove that she was a victim.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque made the statement after the SC affirmed its decision to allow Veloso to testify against her alleged illegal recruiters through a deposition inside her cell in Indonesia.
In a Saturday press briefing, Roque said the Palace is happy with the decision of the SC.
"Nagagalak po kami diyan dahil at least makikita natin na si Ms. Veloso po ay naging biktima kung tatanggapin ang kanyang testimonya (We are happy because now we could establish that Ms. Veloso was a victim when they accept her testimony)," he said.
On Friday, the SC denied the motion for reconsideration filed by the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) on behalf of Velos's alleged illegal recruiters who were charged with human trafficking before the regional trial court (RTC) in Sto. Domingo, Nueva Ecija.
Veloso is on death row in Indonesia and was supposed to be executed by firing squad after she was caught with 2.6 kilograms of heroin at an Indonesian airport in 2010. Veloso denied having knowledge about the contraband.
In April 2015, she was granted a last-minute reprieve after a reported phone call from then President Benigno Aquino III to the Indonesian government, saying her alleged recruiters had surrendered to Philippine authorities.
More than a year later, reports stated that President Duterte told Indonesian President Joko Widodo that the Philippines would not interfere with Indonesia's legal processes.
Malacañang had explained that there was nothing Duterte can do about Veloso's case since she is detained in a foreign country. The President, however, said he chose not to talk about Veloso's case because it involved drugs.
"I don't talk about the Indonesia case because I hate drugs. I am unforgiving, especially against drugs and slavery. incongruous to me to be talking about these things," Duterte explained in October 2017.