Veloso clemency ‘possible,’ says Palace

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

Veloso is a Filipino national convicted of drug trafficking in Indonesia and is currently serving her sentence in the Philippines.

Her parents, joined by several advocacy groups, formally petitioned President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to grant their daughter full and absolute clemency. The appeal seeks action ahead of Marcos’ fourth State of the Nation Address on 28 July.

Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro cited that the President has not yet received the petition but assured the public that any decision would adhere to the law.

“I don’t have specific information right now on when the letter was delivered, but it will reach the President,” Castro said. “And if it doesn’t violate any laws and will benefit our fellow Filipino, we are likely to receive a positive reaction to it.”

To recall, Veloso was convicted in Indonesia in 2010 and sentenced to death for drug trafficking. Following diplomatic negotiations and a transfer agreement between Manila and Jakarta in November 2024, she was allowed to return to the Philippines in December 2024.

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

Upon her return, Marcos had described the possibility of clemency as still “far off.” However, Indonesian authorities have previously stated they would respect any decision made by the Philippine government regarding Veloso’s case.