Bongbong Marcos to reiterate pardon request for Mary Jane Veloso in Indonesia

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Tuesday said he will continue to ask for a commutation or even a pardon for Mary Jane Veloso, who is convicted of drug smuggling and condemned to death row.

Marcos issued the statement in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia where he is to attend the 42nd Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).

“The impasse is we continue to ask for a commutation or even a pardon extradition back to the Philippines, and that is constantly there,” he said when asked if he would raise Veloso’s case if he meets with Indonesian President Joko Widodo.

“But the Indonesians answer us that this is the law,” Marcos added.

In September last year, the Department of Foreign Affairs sought executive clemency for Veloso.

Veloso was convicted of drug trafficking after she was caught with 2.6 kilos of heroin in Yogyakarta in 2010.

She was meted out to the death penalty in 2010.

“They’ve already given us postponement but that doesn’t mean it’s done, I’ll always at least bring it up. Baka sakaling magbago [Maybe it will change],” Marcos said.

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