Opposition lawmakers file resolution seeking clemency for Veloso

Opposition lawmakers in the House of Representatives on Wednesday filed a resolution urging President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr. to grant clemency to Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) Mary Jane Veloso.

Veloso, who has been convicted on drug trafficking charges in Indonesia, is expected to return to the Philippines before Christmas. 

"With the impending transfer of Mary Jane to the Philippines, supporters of Mary Jane have called on President Marcos, Jr. to grant her immediate clemency for “humanitarian grounds and as a matter of justice," the resolution read.

Veloso's execution was stopped pending the prosecution of the individuals who illegally recruited her as a drug mule on a pretext of a suitcase as a gift to Veloso.

Indonesia and the Philippines formally agreed on the transfer of Veloso last week, following a high-level meeting held abroad.

"The grant of clemency to Mary Jane by the President of the Republic of the Philippines is not against the agreement between the Philippines and Indonesia, as this executive act does not necessarily extinguish the conviction, but only removes the penalty associated with the conviction, and in case of absolute pardon, restores civil rights," the resolution added. 

Lawmakers said that Veloso already suffered enough by being deprived of liberty for 14 years and missing out on seeing her children grow up.

"The grant of clemency to Mary Jane has been a long time coming considering that she is a victim of human trafficking, and is not a drug mule," the resolution read.

Her parents, Celia and Cesar, were present when the lawmakers filed the resolution in Batasang Pambansa.

House Resolution 2128 was filed by House Deputy Minority Leader France Castro of ACT Teachers party-list, House Assistant Minority Leader Arlene Brosas and Kabataan party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Tuesday refused to talk about the transfer of Filipina death row convict Mary Jane Veloso to the country, citing a request from the Indonesian government.

“We were asked by the Indonesian government not to make any announcements until everything is settled, so let's respect that request,” Marcos told reporters.

Meanwhile, Veloso's parents and sons are set to visit her next week.

—VAL/RSJ, GMA Integrated News