Veloso marks 40th birthday in CIW

Mary Jane Veloso celebrated her 40th birthday at the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City on Friday, 10 January, with her family and supporters.

A photograph shared by Migrante International on Facebook showed Veloso’s parents and her two sons carrying food into the CIW grounds. Her sister, Maritess Veloso Laurente, described the emotional moment when Veloso broke into tears at the sight of her family.

“We planned to sing her ‘Happy Birthday,’ but as soon as we saw her, she was already in tears. She hugged us tightly, and we couldn’t even start the song,” Laurente shared.

This is the first time Veloso celebrated her birthday in the Philippines since her arrest in 2010 in Indonesia, where she was convicted for carrying 2.6 kilograms of heroin hidden in her luggage. After nearly 15 years of imprisonment, she returned to the Philippines on 18 December.

In light of Veloso’s birthday, the National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL) reiterated its call to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to grant Veloso clemency.

“On this special day, we renew our urgent call for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to grant Mary Jane Veloso an absolute pardon. This is not only a gesture of compassion but also a powerful stand against human trafficking and the exploitation of migrant workers,” said NUPL in a statement.

Edre Olalia, one of Veloso’s private lawyers, also echoed his appeal on social media platform X, questioning the president’s inaction.

“On Mary Jane Veloso's 40th birthday, we ask, ‘What are you waiting for, Mr. President?’” Olalia wrote. He further pointed out that the United Arab Emirates has already pardoned 220 Filipinos, while Indonesia has expressed its consent for granting clemency to Veloso, emphasizing that the decision now rests solely with the president.

“So what gives, Mr. President?,” Olalia added.

Reports also stated that Veloso’s father, Cesar Veloso, submitted a petition for clemency to Malacañang on her birthday which carries the signature of over 4,000 Filipinos and 3,000 international supporters.

Veloso’s family also celebrated Christmas with her last December at CIW, as the president did not grant their request for holiday clemency. The same month, the president emphasized that Veloso’s case must undergo a careful legal assessment to determine if clemency is appropriate.