Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan on Friday welcomed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s grant of absolute pardon to Mary Jane Veloso, saying the long-awaited reprieve would finally give the former OFW and her family a chance to reclaim the years lost to her nearly 16-year ordeal.
“Kinalulugod natin ang paggawad ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ng absolute pardon kay Mary Jane Veloso,” Pangilinan said.
“Matapos ang mahabang pagkakahiwalay, unti-unti nang mabibigyan ng pagkakataon si Mary Jane at ang kanyang pamilya na mabawi ang panahong nawala sa kanila — at muling simulan ang buhay na matagal nilang ipinagdasal,” he added.
Veloso was arrested at an airport in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, on April 25, 2010 after authorities found about 2.6 kilograms of heroin concealed in her suitcase. She maintained that she did not know the drugs were there. She was convicted of drug trafficking and sentenced to death later that year.
Her execution was halted at the last minute in April 2015 after her alleged recruiters surrendered to Philippine authorities and Manila informed Jakarta that Veloso’s testimony could be crucial to the case against them. She subsequently spent years in Indonesian custody.
After prolonged negotiations between Manila and Jakarta, Veloso was transferred to the Philippines in December 2024 and detained at the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong. In June 2026, she testified in the Philippine case involving the people she accused of recruiting and trafficking her.
Pangilinan said Veloso’s case highlights the risks faced by Filipinos seeking work abroad.
“Tulad ni Mary Jane, maraming OFW ang nangingibang-bansa para sa kanilang pamilya. Umaalis para mapag-aral ang mga anak, masuportahan ang pamilya, at magkaroon ng marangal na trabaho,” he said.
“Habang ipinagdiriwang natin ang kalayaan ni Mary Jane, tuloy-tuloy nating singilin ang mga illegal recruiter, human trafficker, at drug syndicate na sinasamantala ang pangarap at kahinaan ng ating mga kababayang OFW,” he added.