MANILA, Philippines β President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has granted an absolute pardon to Mary Jane Veloso, ending her long period of detention following her conviction in Indonesia on drug trafficking charges.
The pardon, signed on September 24 and announced the following day, September 25, 2026, allows Veloso to regain her freedom after more than 16 years in detention and a prolonged legal battle. The decision was made on humanitarian grounds.
Veloso was arrested in Indonesia in 2010 after authorities found 2.6 kilograms of heroin in her luggage. She maintained that she was unaware of the drugs and claimed she had been deceived by individuals who recruited her for work abroad.
In 2015, her scheduled execution was postponed shortly before it was due to take place, following a request from the Philippine government for her to testify against her alleged recruiters.
In December 2024, Veloso was transferred from Indonesia to the Philippines to continue serving her sentence at the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City. The transfer allowed Philippine authorities to handle matters concerning her sentence, including the possibility of clemency.
Her pardon marks a significant development for her family and supporters, who have long called for her release.
Velosoβs case has also drawn attention to the risks faced by Filipino migrant workers, particularly those who may fall victim to human trafficking, deception, and exploitation while seeking employment abroad.
Her release renews calls for stronger protection for overseas Filipino workers and for greater recognition of trafficking victims who are caught in criminal cases. #
