Inquirer
Road to absolute freedom for Mary Jane Veloso is ‘quiet’ – lawyer
International lawyers are urging President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to grant an absolute pardon to Mary Jane Veloso, who is currently detained in the Philippines after serving time in Indonesia for drug trafficking.
The International Association of Democratic Lawyers (IADL) called on Marcos Jr. to release Veloso, citing her status as a victim of trafficking.
Veloso's legal counsel, Attorney Edre Olalia, stated that the road to her absolute freedom remains "quiet" and "uncertain" since the President said he would consult legal experts.
Olalia mentioned that Marcos Jr. had previously stated, "We are still far off" regarding clemency.
Despite the quiet progress, Olalia believes the ball is in President Marcos Jr.'s hands and he has the power to grant clemency.
The IADL emphasized that granting clemency is a presidential prerogative that can be exercised on humanitarian grounds without extensive administrative review.
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Mary Jane Veloso returned to the Philippines on December 18, 2024, after nearly 15 years of detention in Indonesia for drug trafficking, maintaining her innocence.
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President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stated that the prospect of executive clemency for Mary Jane Veloso is still at a very preliminary stage and will be determined by legal experts.
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Mary Jane Veloso, who was previously sentenced to death for drug trafficking in Indonesia, has returned to the Philippines after 14 years and was reunited with her family at the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City.
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