Party-list groups seek Mary Jane Veloso clemency

Metro Manila, Philippines — The Makabayan party-list bloc is urging President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to grant clemency to Mary Jane Veloso, the overseas Filipino worker convicted of drug trafficking in Indonesia.

Gabriela Women’s Rep. Arlene Brosas, ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro, and Kabataan Rep. Raoul Manuel filed the corresponding House Resolution 2128 on Wednesday, Dec. 11, noting the innocence of Veloso.

“Mary Jane has already suffered enough by being deprived of liberty for 14 years and by missing out on her children growing up” the resolution read.

“The grant of clemency to Mary Jane has been a long time coming considering that she is a victim of human trafficking, and is not a drug mule,” it added.

The Philippines and Indonesia have agreed to bring Veloso back to the Philippines. She is likely to be in the country before Christmas.

In 2010, Veloso was arrested in Yogyakarta, Indonesia with 2.6 kilograms of heroin concealed in a suitcase given by her recruiter.