Cesar Veloso, father of Mary Jane turn emotional during a prayer rally led by Migrante outside the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in Pasay City on September 5, 2022. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File 

MANILA – The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) welcomed the “positive developments” in the case of Filipina death row convict Mary Jane Veloso and her forthcoming return after decades of consultations and diplomatic engagements.

Last month, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. confirmed Veloso was coming home and thanked the Indonesian government for approving her return to the Philippines to serve her sentence.

"The Commission thus applauds the efforts of the President Marcos Jr. and the DFA for their continuous proactiveness for over a decade that allowed Veloso to finally have a chance to come back to her home country and her family while serving the rest of her sentence," CHR said in a statement on Monday.

"CHR commends the initiative of the current Philippine authorities in pursuing justice beyond our own territorial bounds. After all, promoting and protecting the dignity of every Filipino will always include our migrant workers, parallel to our foreign policy which also prioritizes the welfare of Filipinos overseas," it added.

Mary Jane Veloso coming home before Christmas, Indonesian official says

Last week, the Department of Justice said Veloso would soon return to the country after the signing of a "practical agreement" between Indonesian and Philippine government officials.

Indonesian Minister for Human Rights and Corrections Yusil Ihza Mahendra said that President Prabowo Subianto himself advised to have Veloso transferred just in time for holidays. 

The Indonesian official reiterated that they were not asking for anything in exchange for Veloso's return. 

"Along with the Executive, the CHR extends its sincerest gratitude to President Prabowo Subianto and the Indonesian government on this significant development, a stark proof of the continuous dialogue and diplomatic exchanges made with the Philippines to address Veloso’s situation," the CHR said.

DOJ welcomes Indonesia’s recognition of clemency option for Mary Jane Veloso

Celia Veloso, the Filipina migrant's mother, earlier said she wished to have her daughter home for Christmas to spend time with their family.

She also renewed calls to Marcos for Veloso's clemency.

The Indonesian government said it would "respect any decision" made by the Marcos Jr. administration after Veloso's return, including a possible grant of clemency.

Veloso is barred from returning to Indonesia. 

"It must be noted that this was arranged in accordance with Indonesia’s recent policy on the transfer of foreign prisoners to their home countries. Therefore, Veloso’s sentence will continue upon her arrival in the Philippines. The Commission has also taken cognizance of President Marcos Jr.’s assurance that the government will study the option of granting clemency to Veloso," the Commission said.

CHR reminded the Philippine government to uphold the United Nations Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners and Non-Custodial Measures for Women Offenders or the Bangkok Rules. 

"This is to ensure that all efforts needed for constitutional actionable steps towards the reformation and possible reintegration of Veloso and the rest of the PDLs to mainstream society are actualized," it urged.

"The Commission expresses its full support for the significant efforts to help Veloso attain justice. This has opened a symbol of hope for other migrant workers that are facing the same condition whom we continue to fight for," the CHR added.

DOJ officials off to Indonesia for Mary Jane Veloso transfer to PH

Veloso was arrested in 2010 for carrying 2.6 kilograms of heroin inside her suitcase and was later sentenced to death.

Veloso was set for execution in 2015 until the last-minute arrest of her recruiter, who allegedly placed the illegal drugs in her luggage without her knowledge.