Story perspectives

Marcos Jr. Pardons Mary Jane Veloso, Clearing Death Row

By Drooid · Sep 25, 2026, 3:28 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Marcos Pardons Veloso

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. pardoned Mary Jane Veloso, a former death-row inmate.
He announced the pardon on Sept 25, 2026, while visiting Batac, northern Philippines.
Veloso was arrested in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, in 2010 after 2.6 kg of heroin were found.
She avoided execution in 2015 after a diplomatic rescue and returned to Manila in December 2024.
The Bureau of Corrections now holds her; no other active cases remain.

Summary

Migrante Hails Victory

The pardon of Maria Veloso was hailed by Migrante International as a victory for the people’s movement.
Senator Francis Pangilinan said the pardon lets Veloso rebuild her life and urged prosecution of recruiters.
The Supreme Court named Maria Cristina Sergio and Julius Lacanilao as recruiters charged with trafficking, recruitment and estafa.
National Union of People's Lawyers (NUPL) argued Veloso’s continued detention lacks legal basis because no treaty governs prisoner transfers.

Summary

Castro Rules Consent Unneeded

The bilateral repatriation agreement lets the Philippines grant clemency without Indonesia’s consent.
Undersecretary Claire Castro said Indonesia’s approval is likely unnecessary for the pardon.
Rep. Albert Garcia raised the pardon during the 2027 Office of the President budget deliberations.
Officials expect the pardon could be issued before Christmas, though no exact date is set.
The Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong holds Veloso, citing protection of Filipino migrant workers abroad.

History

Historical Context

June 1995 Republic Act 8042 established the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act, formalizing the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) renamed by Corazon Aquino in 1987. In its first year OWWA allocated PHP1.5 billion and repatriated over 12,000 OFWs, creating a protection framework. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s September 2026 pardon of Mary Jane Veloso cited that legacy to reinforce repatriation protocols.

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Marcos Pardons Veloso

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. pardoned Mary Jane Veloso, a former death-row inmate.
He announced the pardon on Sept 25, 2026, while visiting Batac, northern Philippines.
Veloso was arrested in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, in 2010 after 2.6 kg of heroin were found.
She avoided execution in 2015 after a diplomatic rescue and returned to Manila in December 2024.
The Bureau of Corrections now holds her; no other active cases remain.

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