Mary Jane Veloso may serve her sentence in Palawan or Davao penal farms: BuCor | ABS-CBN
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Mary Jane Veloso may serve her sentence in Palawan or Davao penal farms: BuCor
Mary Jane Veloso may serve her sentence in Palawan or Davao penal farms: BuCor
![](https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17325131996031732338657583173216966086320150407-veloso-maryjane-AFP.jpg)
Philippine convicted drug smuggler on death row Mary Jane Fiesta Veloso (R) listens to court interpreter at a court in Sleman in central Java island during a hearing of judicial review on March 3, 2015 after a plea for clemency was rejected by Indonesian President Joko Widodo. Suryo Wibowo, AFP/FIle
Philippine convicted drug smuggler on death row Mary Jane Fiesta Veloso (R) listens to court interpreter at a court in Sleman in central Java island during a hearing of judicial review on March 3, 2015 after a plea for clemency was rejected by Indonesian President Joko Widodo. Suryo Wibowo, AFP/FIle
MANILA — Mary Jane Veloso may serve the rest of her sentence either in Metro Manila, Palawan or Davao, Bureau of Corrections Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. said on Monday.
MANILA — Mary Jane Veloso may serve the rest of her sentence either in Metro Manila, Palawan or Davao, Bureau of Corrections Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. said on Monday.
Veloso will likely stay in a “minimum security compound” of a Correctional Institute for Women (CIW) along with around 20 other persons deprived of liberty, Catapang told reporters.
Veloso will likely stay in a “minimum security compound” of a Correctional Institute for Women (CIW) along with around 20 other persons deprived of liberty, Catapang told reporters.
“If she will prefer, sa Palawan kasi mas maaliwalas doon… or kung gusto niya sa Davao, mayroon din tayong CIW doon,” he said.
“If she will prefer, sa Palawan kasi mas maaliwalas doon… or kung gusto niya sa Davao, mayroon din tayong CIW doon,” he said.
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“She can be employed sa banana plantation, magtratrabaho siya agad kung may skills siya,” he said.
“She can be employed sa banana plantation, magtratrabaho siya agad kung may skills siya,” he said.
“Si Veloso is already sentenced. We are just applying the sentence of the Indonesia government,” he added.
“Si Veloso is already sentenced. We are just applying the sentence of the Indonesia government,” he added.
Veloso is expected to stay in a diagnostics center for 2 to 4 weeks to assess if she has medical problems, Catapang said.
Veloso is expected to stay in a diagnostics center for 2 to 4 weeks to assess if she has medical problems, Catapang said.
“‘Yung sa rehabilitation niya, pag na-serve niya na yung sentence, yung reformation programs na gagawin niya, na gusto niya,” he said.
“‘Yung sa rehabilitation niya, pag na-serve niya na yung sentence, yung reformation programs na gagawin niya, na gusto niya,” he said.
“Ite-train din natin siya sa TESDA para kung malaya na siya mayroon na siyang skill para makabalik na siya sa normal life,” he said, referring to the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
“Ite-train din natin siya sa TESDA para kung malaya na siya mayroon na siyang skill para makabalik na siya sa normal life,” he said, referring to the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
In 2010, Veloso was arrested in Yogyakarta, Indonesia for carrying 2.6 kilograms of heroin in her luggage and was supposed to be executed in 2015 until the last-minute arrest of her recruiter.
In 2010, Veloso was arrested in Yogyakarta, Indonesia for carrying 2.6 kilograms of heroin in her luggage and was supposed to be executed in 2015 until the last-minute arrest of her recruiter.
Earlier this month, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced that Veloso would return to the Philippines after the Indonesian government decided to transfer her custody to her home country.
Earlier this month, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced that Veloso would return to the Philippines after the Indonesian government decided to transfer her custody to her home country.
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Comelec to decide on plea to disqualify Tulfos in midterm polls
Comelec to decide on plea to disqualify Tulfos in midterm polls
David Dizon,
ABS-CBN News
Published Feb 18, 2025 08:53 AM PHT
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The Commission on Elections on Tuesday said it will soon decide on a petition seeking to disqualify Rep. Erwin Tulfo, Rep. Jocelyn Tulfo, Rep. Ralph Wendel Tulfo, Wanda Teo, and Ben Tulfo from running in the 2025 midterm polls.
The Commission on Elections on Tuesday said it will soon decide on a petition seeking to disqualify Rep. Erwin Tulfo, Rep. Jocelyn Tulfo, Rep. Ralph Wendel Tulfo, Wanda Teo, and Ben Tulfo from running in the 2025 midterm polls.
Comelec Chairman George Garcia said the poll body will raffle off the disqualification petition filed by lawyer Virgilio Garcia to the Comelec's divisions this Tuesday. The poll body's division will decide on the disqualification plea before the May elections.
Comelec Chairman George Garcia said the poll body will raffle off the disqualification petition filed by lawyer Virgilio Garcia to the Comelec's divisions this Tuesday. The poll body's division will decide on the disqualification plea before the May elections.
"Ang commitment natin, 'yung mga pending pa sa amin, lahat ng iyan ay dedesisyunan namin bago mag-eleksyon upang hindi na mangyayari 'yung katulad before na tapos na ang eleksyon…ay nandyan pa ang mga kaso na minsan ay dalawang eleksyon na ang nakalilipas ay hindi pa nareresolve," he said in a TeleRadyo Serbisyo interview.
"Ang commitment natin, 'yung mga pending pa sa amin, lahat ng iyan ay dedesisyunan namin bago mag-eleksyon upang hindi na mangyayari 'yung katulad before na tapos na ang eleksyon…ay nandyan pa ang mga kaso na minsan ay dalawang eleksyon na ang nakalilipas ay hindi pa nareresolve," he said in a TeleRadyo Serbisyo interview.
The poll chief said the disqualification petition alleged that the Tulfos are part of a political dynasty, which violates Section 26, Article II of the 1987 Constitution. Bills seeking to define and ban political dynasties, however, have languished in Congress.
The poll chief said the disqualification petition alleged that the Tulfos are part of a political dynasty, which violates Section 26, Article II of the 1987 Constitution. Bills seeking to define and ban political dynasties, however, have languished in Congress.
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"Nakita ko 'yung petition, talagang naka-focus sa political dynasty. Merong isang paragraph lang na minention na ibang grounds katulad ng citizenship pero halos isang sentence lang. 'Yun ang sentro ng petition laban sa kanila," he said.
"Nakita ko 'yung petition, talagang naka-focus sa political dynasty. Merong isang paragraph lang na minention na ibang grounds katulad ng citizenship pero halos isang sentence lang. 'Yun ang sentro ng petition laban sa kanila," he said.
Garcia declined to give his opinion on political dynasties, saying he will be part of the division that will decide on the disqualification plea.
Garcia declined to give his opinion on political dynasties, saying he will be part of the division that will decide on the disqualification plea.
He noted, however, that petitioners may be testing the constitutional provision on political dynasties so that there will be jurisprudence on the matter.
He noted, however, that petitioners may be testing the constitutional provision on political dynasties so that there will be jurisprudence on the matter.
ONE FAMILY IN THE POLLS
In his petition, Virgilio Garcia said the respondents are part of the same family, the arrangement of which is prohibited under the 1987 Constitution.
In his petition, Virgilio Garcia said the respondents are part of the same family, the arrangement of which is prohibited under the 1987 Constitution.
“They are within the first and second civil degree of consanguinity or of affinity of each other,” the petition read.
“They are within the first and second civil degree of consanguinity or of affinity of each other,” the petition read.
“Respondents are all related to incumbent Senator Rafael Teshiba Tulfo (a.k.a. Raffy Tulfo) within the first or second civil degree of consanguinity or of affinity. Respondents Cong. Erwin, Ben and Wanda Tulfo - Teo are younger siblings of Senator Raffy Tulfo. Respondent Cong. Jocelyn Pua - Tulfo is the wife of Senator Raffy, while respondent Cong. Ralph is their son,” it added.
“Respondents are all related to incumbent Senator Rafael Teshiba Tulfo (a.k.a. Raffy Tulfo) within the first or second civil degree of consanguinity or of affinity. Respondents Cong. Erwin, Ben and Wanda Tulfo - Teo are younger siblings of Senator Raffy Tulfo. Respondent Cong. Jocelyn Pua - Tulfo is the wife of Senator Raffy, while respondent Cong. Ralph is their son,” it added.
“There is already an existing anomalous scandalous father mother son in congress and this family want to add three more making a total of seven of them, all in same Congress. That is clearly a concentration of political power in one family,” Garcia said.
“There is already an existing anomalous scandalous father mother son in congress and this family want to add three more making a total of seven of them, all in same Congress. That is clearly a concentration of political power in one family,” Garcia said.
Rep. Erwin Tulfo is running for senator in the May elections.
Rep. Erwin Tulfo is running for senator in the May elections.
Rep. Jocelyn Tulfo, a reelectionist, is the wife of Sen. Raffy Tulfo.
Rep. Jocelyn Tulfo, a reelectionist, is the wife of Sen. Raffy Tulfo.
Jocelyn and Raffy’s son is Rep. Ralph Tulfo – a reelectionist for Quezon City's 2nd district.
Jocelyn and Raffy’s son is Rep. Ralph Tulfo – a reelectionist for Quezon City's 2nd district.
Tulfo-Teo, on the other hand, is the first nominee of Turismo party-list while Ben Tulfo is running for senator.
Tulfo-Teo, on the other hand, is the first nominee of Turismo party-list while Ben Tulfo is running for senator.
ISSUE ON CITIZENSHIP
Erwin Tulfo, Garcia said, was “prevented from assuming” his post as secretary of the social welfare department due to issues on his citizenship.
Erwin Tulfo, Garcia said, was “prevented from assuming” his post as secretary of the social welfare department due to issues on his citizenship.
“He served in the U.S Army and had a U.S. passport using fictitious name. Surprisingly, intriguingly if you like, despite that disqualification he was allowed to assume as a party list nominee of ACT-CIS,” the petition read.
“He served in the U.S Army and had a U.S. passport using fictitious name. Surprisingly, intriguingly if you like, despite that disqualification he was allowed to assume as a party list nominee of ACT-CIS,” the petition read.
“To prevent a mockery of our sacred election process, respondents, who all claim to be qualified to run for senator or for congressman, because they are natural-born Filipinos must prove before being qualified as a candidate that they are indeed natural-born Filipinos,” he said.
“To prevent a mockery of our sacred election process, respondents, who all claim to be qualified to run for senator or for congressman, because they are natural-born Filipinos must prove before being qualified as a candidate that they are indeed natural-born Filipinos,” he said.
Tulfo earlier this year admitted he was once an undocumented worker in the United States, also known by the colloquial term "TNT" or "tago nang tago."
Tulfo earlier this year admitted he was once an undocumented worker in the United States, also known by the colloquial term "TNT" or "tago nang tago."
He made the admission following allegations on social media that he used fraudulent identity to acquire an American passport.
He made the admission following allegations on social media that he used fraudulent identity to acquire an American passport.
Aside from this though, Garcia said on the petition that the respondents “resided in the United States for quite a long while.”
Aside from this though, Garcia said on the petition that the respondents “resided in the United States for quite a long while.”
“They must show to the satisfaction of the Commission that indeed, they have all the qualifications required by the Constitution and none of the disqualifications by law,” he said in the petition.
“They must show to the satisfaction of the Commission that indeed, they have all the qualifications required by the Constitution and none of the disqualifications by law,” he said in the petition.
“As there can be no presumption of citizenship in favor of respondents, so too can there be a presumption of natural-born status. Any doubt whether respondents are natural-born Filipinos is resolved against them,” he added.
“As there can be no presumption of citizenship in favor of respondents, so too can there be a presumption of natural-born status. Any doubt whether respondents are natural-born Filipinos is resolved against them,” he added.
MOTION FOR RECONSIDERATION
In the interview, Comelec Chairman Garcia said all candidates who are facing disqualification petitions can still run until Comelec division issues a decision. Even then, he said the decision is still subject to a motion for reconsideration and can be elevated all the way to the Supreme Court.
In the interview, Comelec Chairman Garcia said all candidates who are facing disqualification petitions can still run until Comelec division issues a decision. Even then, he said the decision is still subject to a motion for reconsideration and can be elevated all the way to the Supreme Court.
"Hanggat walang desisyon ang Comelec na executory, lahat ng boto ay valid. Sila ay kandidato pa rin," he said.
"Hanggat walang desisyon ang Comelec na executory, lahat ng boto ay valid. Sila ay kandidato pa rin," he said.
"Ang desisyon ng enbanc ay executory, 5 araw pagkatapos itong madesisyunan unless makakuha ng TRO yung natalo sa kaso." With Job Manahan, ABS-CBN News
"Ang desisyon ng enbanc ay executory, 5 araw pagkatapos itong madesisyunan unless makakuha ng TRO yung natalo sa kaso." With Job Manahan, ABS-CBN News
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