In a historic moment displaying Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla's relentless pursuit of justice, the Philippines and Indonesian governments will be holding their final discussion and signing off on the agreement on the return of death row survivor Mary Jane Veloso.

Based on the ongoing dialogues and negotiations, the Department of Justice (DoJ) announced that they expect Veloso to be home before Christmas, or as soon as possible to spend the holiday season in the Philippines.

It was earlier believed that Veloso’s return would not happen until early next year due to the procedures for the repatriation of a prisoner.

"To my fellow Filipinos, despite the delays, obstacles and adversities, justice has once again prevailed. Mary Jane will finally be with us and her family this Christmas!” Remulla exclaimed.

Fair deal

Undersecretary Raul T. Vasquez, representing the DoJ, said he found the terms of the agreement fair and equitable to both the Philippines and Indonesia.

“Our embassy and the Indonesian corrections office will iron out the transfer details so we can meet our objectives at the earliest opportunity,” said Vasquez.

“Also, our Bureau of Corrections and the National Bureau of Investigation will be ready for this purpose," he added.

Veloso’s private lawyers welcomed the announcement of a formal agreement between the two nations on her repatriation.

National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) president Edre Olalia said they acknowledged the remarkable goodwill that Indonesia has demonstrated and the efforts of the Philippine government in this matter.

The forging of the formal agreement comes after Indonesia commuted Veloso’s 2010 death sentence for drug smuggling and agreed to turn over her custody to the Philippines.

The NUPL president called on the Philippine government to keep Veloso’s family and her lawyers informed about the status and plans for her homecoming, which will reportedly take place before Christmas.

He also reiterated her lawyers’ call for the President to grant Veloso an “absolute pardon on humanitarian grounds and as a clement act of mercy, compassion and, ultimately, justice.”