Veloso camp reiterates appeal for clemency on Mary Jane's 40th birthday

"What are you waiting for, Mr. President?"

This was the question that the camp of Mary Jane Veloso asked President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. as the Filipino drug convict spent her 40th birthday in detention in the Philippines.

"Indonesia said it is alright with them that you grant her clemency and that responsibility is passed on to you. UAE has already pardoned 220 Filipinos recently," Edre Olalia, one of Veloso's legal counsels, said on X (formerly Twitter).

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

GMA News Online has requested comment from Malacañang regarding the matter but it has yet to respond as of posting time.

In a separate statement, the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) said Veloso deserves justice, freedom, and the chance to rebuild her life with dignity.

“On this special day, we renew our urgent call for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to grant Mary Jane Veloso an absolute pardon,” the NUPL said.  

“This is not only a gesture of compassion but also a powerful stand against human trafficking and the exploitation of migrant workers,” it added.

Earlier, Marcos said the possibility of granting Veloso clemency was still "far off." He also said that he will trust the judgment of the government's legal experts regarding a possible clemency.

Indonesia has said that it would respect any decision made by the Philippines, including if Veloso will be given clemency.

Veloso, who was convicted of drug trafficking in Indonesia, was transferred to Philippine custody in December 2024.

She is currently detained at the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City. — VDV, GMA Integrated News