Palace eyes ‘positive reaction’ on MJ Veloso’s clemency appeal

Malacañang is looking at a positive development in the appeal of the family and supporters of convicted overseas worker Mary Jane Veloso to grant her full and absolute clemency. 

This, as Veloso’s parents, along with concerned groups, on Friday submitted a petition addressed to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to free Mary Jane. They were hoping for the granting of her clemency before Marcos’ fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 28. 

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said that Marcos has yet to receive the letter. 

“Kung wala naman tayong malalabag na batas at ito ay ikakabuti ng ating kababayan, makakakuha naman tayo po malamang ng positibong reaksyon dito,” Castro said in a palace briefing on Friday.

(If it doesn’t break any laws and will benefit her, we will probably get a positive reaction to it.) 

In November last year, Manila and Jakarta reached an agreement to transfer Veloso to the Philippines. She was convicted of drug trafficking in 2010 and was a death row inmate in Indonesia. 

Veloso finally arrived in the Philippines in December and was transferred to the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City. 

Marcos back then said that the possibility of granting Veloso clemency was still "far off." 

Indonesia said that it would respect any decision made by the Philippines, including the possibility of Veloso being given clemency. —LDF, GMA Integrated News