President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Tuesday said he would refrain from making statements about the transfer of Filipina death row convict Mary Jane Veloso to the country until her case has been settled.

“We were asked by the Indonesian government not to make any announcements until everything is settled. So, let’s respect that request,” Marcos told reporters on the sidelines of the inauguration of Viaduct 3 in Pulilan, Bulacan.

Justice Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Jose Dominic Clavano said Veloso could return home before Christmas from Jakarta after being on death row for 14 years.

“We are very well aware that the Indonesian government has indicated or expressed their intention to transfer her custody from Indonesia to the Philippines before Christmas,” he said.

Veloso was arrested in Yogyakarta in 2010 after authorities discovered over 2.6 kilograms of heroin in her suitcase. She was sentenced to death that same year.

Also, Clavano said permission from the Indonesian government is no longer needed should the Philippines decide to grant executive clemency to Veloso upon her return to the country.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) formally requested clemency for Veloso on 6 September 2022.

The Philippines and Indonesia formally signed an agreement for Veloso’s repatriation.

Clavano noted that Indonesia did not set any conditions regarding Veloso’s case.