The Office of the President (OP) of the Philippines is seriously considering granting an absolute pardon to Mary Jane Veloso, according to Palace Press Officer Claire Castro. The potential pardon is being evaluated on humanitarian grounds, Castro said during a Palace briefing.
Mary Jane Veloso, a Filipino citizen, was convicted in Indonesia in 2010 for drug trafficking and sentenced to death. She was granted a last-minute reprieve in 2015 after her alleged recruiter surrendered to authorities in the Philippines. In 2024, she was transferred to the Philippines to serve the remainder of her sentence under an agreement between the two countries.
The timeline for a decision on the pardon has not been announced. The OP's consideration follows years of advocacy by human rights groups and supporters who argue that Veloso was a victim of human trafficking and was unaware of the drugs hidden in her luggage.
If granted, an absolute pardon would fully restore Veloso's civil and political rights, including the right to vote and hold public office. The Palace has not provided further details on when a final decision will be made.
