Marcos Jr. 'seriously considering' pardon for Mary Jane Veloso

Malacañang on Wednesday said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was "seriously considering" granting an absolute pardon to Mary Jane Veloso, the Filipino woman who came close to being executed in Indonesia for a drug trafficking conviction. Veloso was arrested in Indonesia in 2010, drawing significant international attention. She maintained her innocence, claiming she was unaware of the drugs she was carrying. Despite her pleas, she was convicted under Indonesia's legal system, and her execution was imminent in 2015. However, the execution was stayed following appeals from the Philippine government and the emergence of new evidence suggesting she might have been a victim of human trafficking in the Philippines. She was subsequently allowed to serve the remainder of her sentence in a Philippine prison. The consideration for a pardon comes after years of advocacy from supporters and her family. If granted, an absolute pardon would fully release Veloso from all legal constraints. This development is viewed within the context of the Philippines' justice system and the government's stance on its citizens involved in crimes abroad. The treatment of Filipino nationals in Southeast Asian countries, known for their strict drug laws, has often been a diplomatic concern.