Palace: Clemency for Mary Jane Veloso still possible

Malacañang on Friday signaled that clemency for Mary Jane Veloso remains a possibility, provided it does not conflict with existing laws.

Veloso is a Filipina convicted of drug trafficking in Indonesia and is currently serving time in the Philippines.

Veloso’s parents, accompanied by several advocacy groups, submitted a formal petition to President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., urging him to grant full and absolute clemency to their daughter. The appeal seeks action ahead of Marcos’ fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on 28 July.

In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer and Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro noted that the President has not yet received the petition but assured the public that any decision would be made in accordance with the law.

"Wala po ako ngayong kaalaman in particular kung kailan po nadala iyong sulat pero makakarating po ito sa Pangulo (I don’t have specific information right now on when the letter was delivered, but it will reach the President)," Castro said.

She continued: "At kung wala naman tayong malalabag na batas at ito ay ikakabuti ng ating kababayan, makakakuha naman tayo po malamang ng positibong reaksiyon dito (And if it doesn’t violate any laws and will benefit our fellow Filipino, we are likely to receive a positive reaction to it)."

Veloso was convicted in Indonesia in 2010 and placed on death row for drug trafficking.

After diplomatic negotiations, she was allowed to return to the Philippines in December 2024 following a transfer agreement between Manila and Jakarta reached in November of the same year.

She is currently detained at the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City.

At the time of her return, President Marcos had described the possibility of clemency as still "far off."

However, Indonesian authorities have earlier said they would respect whatever decision the Philippine government makes regarding Veloso’s case.