President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. PHOTO BY YUMMIE DINGDING/ PPA POOL
MANILA, Philippines — Senators on Wednesday lauded the return of Mary Jane Veloso, an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in Indonesian death row for drug trafficking, while President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s diplomatic tack was also cited.
Marcos Jr. on Wednesday announced that Veloso will be back in the country after 14 years behind bars.
Senator Raffy Tulfo, who heads the Senate committee on migrant workers, cited Marcos’ fostering strong diplomatic ties with Indonesia with this development.
“I commend President Bongbong Marcos Jr. for his successful diplomatic efforts that paved the way for the impending return of Filipina domestic worker Mary Jane Veloso,” Tulfo said in a statement.
“Mary Jane is indeed coming home,” he added.
READ: Mary Jane Veloso’s ma fears for daughter’s life once back in PH
Veloso, who always maintained her innocence, was arrested at Adisucipto International Airport in Yogyakarta after she was found in possession of more than 2.6 kilograms of heroin.
“Mary Jane is a victim of circumstance, having been deceived by unscrupulous individuals who exploited her vulnerability and unwittingly used her as a courier in their illegal schemes,” said Senate President Pro Temper Jinggoy Estrada in a statement.
Noting that he case deserves a thorough review, Estrada enjoined the Department of Justice to consider her status as a victim of human trafficking and involvement in drug syndicates.
“They should explore options for clemency or commutation of her sentence, recognizing her as a victim rather than a criminal,” Estrada also said.
Senator Grace Poe also lauded the “mutual effort” of Manila and Jakarta to negotiate Veloso’s return to the country.
But Poe said the government should enact programs to avoid such incidents.
For Senate’s part, Poe noted they augmented the “Aksyon” fund to provide legal, medical, and financial assistance to our OFWs, while ensuring that funds will be earmarked for the ensure funds for the National Reintegration Center and OFW help desks.
“We must see to it that no Filipino migrant worker falls victim to yet another death sentence,” Poe said in a statement.