Mary Jane Veloso back in PH Wednesday, lawyer seeks Christmas pardon

Mary Jane Veloso, the Filipina who spent 14 years in prison in Indonesia for drug trafficking, is set to return to the Philippines on Wednesday, December 18, exactly one week before Christmas, her lawyer said. 

Malacañang confirms 'imminent return' of Mary Jane Veloso to PH

Atty. Edre Olalia, Veloso's legal counsel, said the Filipina will be arriving via Cebu Pacific flight at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 at 5:40 a.m. as relayed by Indonesian authorities.

He said he asked the foreign affairs department to allow Veloso's family to meet her at the airport and hug her before she is taken away.

"Sumulat kami sa DFA na kung maari ay mabigyan kami ng pagkakataon, lalo na 'yung pamilya niya na mayakap siya paglapag niya. Kaso wala pa kaming opisyal na abiso kung papayagan kami na masalubong siya mismo," he said in a TeleRado Serbisyo interview. 

"Mangibabaw din sana 'yung humanitarian considerations. Makita lang sandali bago siya dalhin kung saan...15 kamag-anak niya ang luluwas para salubungin siya kasama ang NUPL, Migrante at iba pang supporters."

NUPL asks for immediate access to Mary Jane Veloso upon her return to PH

Representatives of the Bureau of Corrections, National Bureau of Investigation and Department of Foreign Affairs  were in Indonesia for Veloso's return, Olalia said.

In the interview, the lawyer said he saw no moral or legal impediment for Veloso to be given an absolute pardon.

"Wala kaming nakikitang moral, legal na balakid para hindi gawaran ng absolute pardon (si Veloso). Sa lalong madaling panahon sana mag-deklara si Pangulong Marcos. Sana huwag umabot ng Pasko," he said.

Veloso was arrested and sentenced to death in 2010 after 2.6 kilograms of heroin was found in her luggage, but the Filipina asserted that the bag was only handed to her by her recruiters.

She narrowly escaped death in 2015 after her recruiters were arrested shortly before her scheduled execution.

Reports of Veloso's transfer to a Philippine prison started earlier this year, shortly after new Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto rose to power.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and other officials welcomed the transfer as Veloso would be spared from execution because the Philippines does not have a death penalty law in place.

Mary Jane Veloso says planned transfer to PH a 'miracle'

Asked about a possible pardon for Veloso, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said, "The priority of PBBM is to have Veloso repatriated without delay."

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER VELOSO RETURN

The Bureau of Corrections said Veloso would have to undergo a mandatory 5-day quarantine at the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City.

The BuCor said Veloso would be housed at the Reception and Diagnostic Center of the CIW for not more than 60 days, comprising a 5-day quarantine period and a 55-day orientation, diagnostic evaluation and initial security classification.

She will then be transferred to her assigned corrections facility based on the approved resolution of the RDC Initial Classification Board.

“During the 5-day quarantine, Veloso shall be placed in a regular Quarantine Cell for medical observation, during which a medical and physical examination shall be given to determine any handicap, physical  or mental illness,” the BuCor said.

The BuCor said Veloso would be asked to list down the names of her relatives or authorized visitors.

“After the 5-day quarantine period which will fall on December 24, Veloso’s immediate family can visit her in time for Christmas, providing a rare moment of connection during this transitional period,” Catapang said.

The BuCor said Mary Jane and her alleged illegal recruiter would be confined in separate facilities at the CIW.