Marcos Grants Absolute Pardon to Mary Jane Veloso

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday confirmed that he had signed Mary Jane Veloso’s absolute pardon. In a brief media interview in Samar, Marcos was asked whether he had decided on the fate of the former overseas Filipino worker. “I signed it… I signed the pardon,” he said, confirming the approval. Veloso was arrested in 2010 at Yogyakarta Airport in Indonesia for carrying illegal drugs and was sentenced to death in 2015. However, her execution had been stayed since then, following appeals from her lawyers and the Philippine government. The stay was reportedly granted due to her potential role as a key witness against a drug syndicate and her possible cooperation in investigations into human trafficking cases in the Philippines. This decision for an absolute pardon brings a definitive end to Veloso's long-standing hope for freedom. Her release is expected to bring significant relief to her supporters both in the Philippines and abroad. Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are a vital part of the Philippine economy, and their challenges and legal predicaments are often a major concern for the government. Veloso's case has been a prominent example highlighting the complex situations OFWs can face within international legal systems.