Mary Jane Veloso arrives at the Correctional Institute for Women in Mandaluyong City on December 18, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA — The lawyers of Mary Jane Veloso reiterated their appeal for clemency from President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. as she celebrated her birthday at the Correctional Institution for Women.

Veloso, a drug convict who spent nearly 15 years on Indonesia's death row, was transferred to the Philippines in December last year.

“On Mary Jane Veloso's 40th birthday, we ask, ‘What are you waiting for, Mr. President?’” asked National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers Chairperson Edre Olalia.

Under the agreement for Veloso's transfer, her life sentence now falls under the Philippines' purview, "including the authority to grant clemency, remission, amnesty and similar measures".

Olalia said the responsibility has been passed on to the President.

Olalia also noted that the United Arab Emirates pardoned 220 Filipinos recently.

"So what gives, Mr. President?" he said.

Veloso was arrested and sentenced to death in 2010 after the suitcase she was carrying was found to be lined with 2.6 kilograms of heroin, in a case that sparked uproar in the Philippines.

Her scheduled 2015 execution by firing squad was stayed at the last minute. The reprieve was granted after a woman suspected of recruiting her was arrested on human trafficking charges and Veloso was named as a prosecution witness.

PETITION

Veloso's father, Cesar Veloso, is hopeful as he submitted a submit a petition for clemency to Malacanang for his daughter.

The petition, submitted on Mary Jane's 40th birthday, carries the signatures of over 4,000 Filipinos and 3,000 supporters from various countries.

"Talagang nararamdaman ko yung saya na malapit nang makauwi ang aking anak," he said.

On Friday, Veloso’s family visited her at CIW to celebrate her birthday. They brought her favorite foods, but the occasion turned emotional.

"Kanina nung dumalaw na kami dun dapat kakantahan namin siya ng happy birthday nakita na namin agad na lumuluha siya tapos niyakap niya kami hindi na kami nakakanta. Sabi niya ate gusto ko ng umuwi....gawin niyo lahat gusto ko na umuwi ayoko na dito," said Veloso’s sister Maritess Veloso Laurente.

Maritess added that Veloso has a message for the president.

"Naniniwala po siya na may mabuti kayong puso kaya alam daw niyaa sa sarili niya na ipagkakaloob niyo yung clemency sakanya

Naniniwala kami na ibibigay ng pangulo to....siguro pinag iisipan lang nya," she added.

The justice department earlier said her clemency bid would be "seriously studied".

She will serve out her life sentence if not pardoned, Justice Undersecretary Raul Vasquez said.

Indonesia's government has said it will respect any decision made by Manila. — With a report from Agence France-Presse

— With a report from Agence France-Presse