Philippine President Considering Absolute Pardon For Mary Jane Veloso

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr is weighing an absolute pardon for Mary Jane Veloso, with a Palace press officer confirming a report that the move is under serious consideration.

Pardon under review

Veloso is a former death row inmate who had been detained since her 2010 conviction for drug trafficking in Indonesia.

The possible pardon follows her repatriation in 2024, according to the source report.

Lawmaker Albert Garcia said the Office of the President was examining the case on humanitarian grounds and linked the review to the government’s protection of Filipino migrant workers.

“The Office of the President is seriously considering granting an absolute pardon to Mary Jane Veloso on humanitarian grounds in support of the government’s commitment to protecting Filipino migrant workers,” Garcia said on Wednesday, as quoted by the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Announcement expected

Garcia also said: “There will be an announcement in a few days.”

Palace press officer Claire Castro confirmed the report on the same day, according to the Philippine Star, but did not provide further details.

“I am not the one authorised to disclose them at this time,” Castro said.

The consideration of a full presidential pardon is significant because it comes after Veloso’s return from Indonesia and is being framed by officials around humanitarian grounds and migrant-worker protection.

Source: South China Morning Post