Indonesia grants Marcos discretion in possibly granting pardon to Mary Jane Veloso
BREAKING NEWS: The Philippines and Indonesia have reached a groundbreaking deal for Mary Jane Veloso, a Filipino woman sentenced to life imprisonment in Indonesia for drug trafficking. Here's the scoop:
Indonesia agreed to repatriate Veloso, a domestic worker and mother of two, who was arrested in Yogyakarta back in 2010. According to reports, Indonesia did not set any specific conditions for this "one-of-a-kind" arrangement. The Philippine Justice Undersecretary, Raul Vasquez, assured that the decision to pardon Veloso, if it happens, rests solely with the President of the Philippines.
In a press conference, Vasquez stated that the Philippines will respect the Indonesian court's sentencing of Veloso and her status as a prisoner in Indonesia. Once Veloso returns home, the Philippines will address her case, including the possibility of granting her clemency. Indonesia will respect any decision made by the Philippines, according to Yusril Ihza Mahendra, Indonesia's senior minister for law and human rights affairs.
The potential pardon for Veloso has been a political matter in the Philippines. Previous presidents, such as Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Rodrigo Duterte, have granted executive clemency for high-profile cases. However, for Veloso's case, the Philippine government must review her background, circumstances, and humanitarian factors before making a decision.
Veloso was granted a last-minute reprieve from execution in 2015, and her transfer to the Philippines spares her from facing the death penalty, as the Philippines does not have the death penalty. This transfer marks the start of a long-awaited journey for Veloso to be reunited with her family.
The deal between Indonesia and the Philippines is celebrated as a significant milestone in the 75-year diplomatic relationship between the two countries. It's not only a step towards justice for Veloso, but it also highlights the mutual desire of both nations to protect human rights.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story. Let's stand together in advocating for justice and understanding in this case. Join our community to have your voice heard!
The ongoing politics surrounding Mary Jane Veloso's case in the Philippines involves discussions about her potential pardon, a decision that has been significant in past high-profile cases. The recent development in the general-news, the agreement between the Philippines and Indonesia, is seen as a step towards justice for Veloso and a highlight of the mutual respect for human rights between the two countries.
