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. Suryo Wibowo, AFP/File 

MANILA — The Department of Justice said Monday it hoped that Mary Jane Veloso could be transferred from Indonesia to the Philippines before Christmas.

Justice Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano said the Indonesian government, like the Philippine government, wanted Veloso to be repatriated before December 25. 

“We are very aware that the Indonesian government has indicated their intention to deport or to transfer her custody from Indonesia to the Philippines before Christmas, sana po matupad iyon, magandang Christmas gift iyon,” Clavano said.

After the signing of the practical agreement between Indonesian and Philippine officials in Jakarta last Friday, the DOJ reiterated that there were no conditions set by the Indonesian government.

“There seems to be no conditions imposed, so binibigay lang ho si Mary Jane Veloso sa atin and it is up to us to decide on whether or not there should be other steps to be taken, dati po ang akala natin ay iyong legal custody nasa Indonesia, physical custody lang sa atin, but it seems right now both legal and physical custody are both with the Philippines,” Clavano said.

The family and supporters of Mary Jane Veloso, who was sentenced to death in Indonesia for drug trafficking, continue to hope that she will be given clemency by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. 

The DOJ said that it was up to President Marcos if he wanted to pardon Veloso.

“Yung pag-commute ng sentence niya which is another form of pardon or executive clemency, which facility Mary Jane Veloso will be detained in, iyon po iyong mga detalye na binibigay na sa Pilipinas,” Clavano said.

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