Full Breakdown
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Grants Absolute Pardon to Mary Jane Veloso
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The Pardon Announcement
On September 25, 2026, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced he had signed an absolute pardon for Mary Jane Veloso, a former death-row inmate repatriated from Indonesia on December 18, 2024. Marcos told reporters, “I already signed her pardon yesterday,” confirming that the clemency extinguishes Veloso’s criminal liability and restores her civil and political rights. No specific release date was provided.
Background & Context
Veloso was arrested at Yogyakarta’s Adisutjipto International Airport in 2010 after officials found 2.6 kg of heroin in her suitcase. She was sentenced to death under Indonesia’s narcotics laws. A 2015 diplomatic intervention halted her execution, allowing her to serve as a state witness in a human-trafficking case. After nearly 15 years in Indonesian custody, a 2024 arrangement transferred her to the Philippines, where she was placed in the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City.
Data & Statistics
- Heroin seized: 2.6 kg
- Time in Indonesian custody: ~15 years (2010-2024)
- Time in Philippine custody: ~2 years (Dec 2024-Sept 2026)
- Age at pardon: 40 years
- Family: Mother of two; parents Cesar and Celia Veloso
Official Statements & Responses
President Marcos framed the pardon as a humanitarian act for a mother of two. Senator Francis Pangilinan welcomed the decision, saying it gives Veloso and her family a chance to rebuild after nearly 16 years of detention. Representative Albert Garcia of Bataan had previously noted that the Office of the President was “seriously considering” the pardon.
Criticism & Opposition
Human-rights advocates noted that Veloso remained detained for one year and nine months after her return, despite the absence of Philippine charges. The migrant-workers group Migrante called the delay a “grave injustice” and demanded accountability.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I’ll give you a scoop: I signed her pardon yesterday,” — Ferdinand Marcos, president
- “Kinalulugod natin ang paggawad ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ng absolute pardon kay Mary Jane Veloso (We welcome President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s grant of absolute pardon to Mary Jane Veloso),” — Francis Pangilinan, senator
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the total length of Veloso’s detention, describing it as “nearly 15 years” in Indonesia plus “almost 2 years” in the Philippines, or “16 years” overall. Age is reported as 40 in most outlets, with one source listing 41. No official timeline has been provided for her actual release from the Correctional Institution for Women.
What’s Next
The president has not announced a specific release date. Officials indicated the pardon removes legal barriers, and Veloso is expected to be freed once administrative procedures are completed. No further details on procedural steps or conditions have been released.