President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s granting of a clemency for Mary Jane Veloso is possible but it has to go through the legal and diplomatic processes, Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero said.
“I believe that PBBM (Marcos) will (grant her clemency). However, it will have to go through the process, both legal and diplomatic, and with due courtesies to the Indonesian government,” Escudero said.
“In the meantime, what’s important is that she has been spared from the death penalty and the process is underway for her to be free ultimately,” the Senate leader added.
Marcos, on Thursday, November 21 expressed openness to the granting of a clemency to Veloso who is set to be transferred to a Philippine facility after serving years in prison in Indonesia for drug trafficking.
Escudero also expressed elation over the imminent homecoming of Veloso and urged authorities to ensure her safety upon her return to the country.
The Senate leader said he is grateful to President Marcos and to all officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for coordinating with the government of Indonesia continuousloy to save Veloso from the death penalty and making it possible for her to return to the country.
“We 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,” he said.
“We call on the authorities concerned to ensure the safety of Mary Jane upon her return to the Philippines and to reach out to her family and allay whatever fears or concerns they may have about her transfer,” he also said.
Sen. Joel Villanueva also commended the Marcos administration for the efforts to bring Veloso home.
“We also call on the government, particularly the DFA and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), to continue their diligent efforts and diplomatic initiatives in safeguarding the rights and well-being of our kababayans abroad, especially those currently on death row. According to the DMW, there are 44 OFWs presently in this dire situation,” Villanueva noted.
As sponsor of the DMW’s budget, Villanueva said the Senate allocated P1.3 billion for the Agarang Kalinga at Saklolo para sa mga OFW na Nangangailangan (AKSYON) Fund to provide any necessary assistance needed by the country’s OFWs.