Veloso's Mom in Disbelief Over Absolute Pardon

CABANATUAN CITY – Mary Jane Veloso’s mother, better known as “Aling Celia,” had to be convinced by human rights lawyer Edre Olalia that her daughter might finally be free after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed documents granting her absolute pardon on Friday. “Ako man eh hindi ko mapaniwalaan nung tumawag si Atty. Edre dun pa,” she said, referring to Olalia. Veloso was arrested in Malaysia in 2010 for allegedly carrying 2.6 kilograms of heroin. She was sentenced to death but her sentence was commuted to life imprisonment. She was supposed to be executed in 2015, but the execution was halted after a drug syndicate was busted in the Philippines, and Veloso was considered a potential witness. In 2016, then-President Benigno Aquino III commuted Veloso’s sentence to life imprisonment. In 2017, then-President Rodrigo Duterte said Veloso would not be pardoned. In 2022, Veloso’s family appealed to then-candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to grant her absolute pardon if he wins the presidency. Veloso’s parents, Celia and Nelson, and her two sons, Mark Darren and Albert, are living in Nueva Ecija. “Salamat po, Pangulo, sa inyong awa at pagmamalasakit sa aking anak,” Celia said. “Sana po, mapatawad na siya at makauwi na siya dito sa amin,” she added. Olalia said the pardon was a “significant development” and expressed hope that Veloso would be released soon. “This is a testament to the Philippine government’s commitment to its citizens abroad,” Olalia said. He added that the pardon would allow Veloso to “start a new life” with her family. Veloso’s case has drawn international attention and advocacy from human rights groups. Many Filipinos work abroad as overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and often face challenges related to their employment and legal status.