Senator Raffy Tulfo on Wednesday, November 20 commended President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. for maintaining strong diplomatic ties with Indonesia and eventually paving the way for the possible return of Filipino domestic worker Mary Jane Veloso back to the Philippines.
This, after Marcos announced that Veloso, who has been in death row in Indonesia after she was found in possession of more than 2.6 kilograms of heroin in 2010, will be returning to the country after 10 years of diplomacy and consultation about her case.
“I commend President ‘BongBong’ Marcos Jr. for his successful diplomatic efforts that paved the way for the impending return of Filipina domestic worker Mary Jane Veloso to the Philippines after spending 14 years on death row in Indonesia,” Tulfo said.
“Ang resultang ito ay bunga rin ng puspusang pakikipag-ugnayan ni Pangulong BBM (Marcos) katuwang ang Department of Foreign Affairs, sa gobyerno ng Indonesia para masiguro ang kaligtasan ng mga Pilipino sa kanilang teritoryo (This result is also the result of the intensive communication of President BBM, in collaboration with the Department of Foreign Affairs, with the Indonesian government to ensure the safety of Filipinos in their territory),” he noted.
As chairman of the Senate Committee on Migrant Workers, Tulfo said he is thankful to the President for his commitment to address the plight of many of the country’s migrant workers.
“Thank you, PBBM for your unwavering commitment to protecting our kababayans abroad and fostering strong diplomatic ties with Indonesia. Mary Jane is indeed, coming home,” Tulfo said.
“As Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Migrant Workers, I am grateful that under the leadership of PBBM, the welfare of OFWs in different parts of the world are always protected and looked after,” he said.
Marcos, in a statement, said the Philippine government managed to delay her execution in Indonesia long enough to reach an agreement with them to finally bring her back to the country.
“Mary Jane’s story resonates with many: a mother trapped by the grip of poverty who made one desperate choice that altered the course of her life,” the President said.
“While she was held accountable under Indonesian law, she remains a victim of her circumstances,” he added.
Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada also commended the Marcos administration’s efforts to facilitate Veloso’s return to the 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,” Estrada said.
Estrada expressed belief Veloso is a victim of circumstance, “having been deceived by unscrupulous individuals who exploited her vulnerability and unwittingly used her as a courier in their illegal schemes.”
“Her situation highlights the urgent need to protect overseas workers from similar predicaments and to strengthen mechanisms against human trafficking and illegal recruitment,” Estrada said.
The Senate President Pro Tempore also said he believes Veloso’s case “deserves a thorough review.”
“Her case deserves a thorough review. I urge the Department of Justice (DOJ) to consider her status as a victim of human trafficking and involvement in drug syndicates,” Estrada said.
“They should explore options for clemency or commutation of her sentence, recognizing her as a victim rather than a criminal,” he said.
Sen. Grace Poe also lauded the mutual effort of the Philippine and Indonesian governments for making 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.
Poe, Senate Finance Committee, also assured that there is sufficient funds under AKSYON to provide legal, medical and financial assistance to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
The Senate will also ensure there is enough funds for the National Reintegration Center and OFW helpdesks.
This is on top of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) funding for returning undocumented OFWs to get counseling through livelihood training.
“We must see to it that no Filipino migrant worker falls victim to yet another death sentence,” Poe said.