President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. confirmed on Friday that he has signed an absolute pardon for Mary Jane Veloso, bringing an end to a 15-year legal saga following her drug trafficking conviction in Indonesia.
Speaking to reporters during an ambush interview in Eastern Samar, the Chief Executive verified that he acted on the pardon request earlier in the week.
“Pinirmahan ko na,” President Marcos stated when asked about Veloso’s status.
“Pinirmahan ko na ‘yung pardon niya kahapon,” he added, clarifying that he signed the executive clemency document on Thursday.
While Malacañang noted earlier in the week that an absolute pardon was under consideration due to humanitarian reasons, officials have yet to announce when the order will officially take effect.
Veloso was originally arrested in 2010 in Yogyakarta after Indonesian authorities discovered over 2.6 kilograms of heroin inside her luggage. She was subsequently sentenced to death later that year.
Her execution was halted in 2015 following diplomatic appeals from the Philippine government and the arrest of her alleged recruiters in the Philippines. On December 18, 2024, Indonesian authorities transferred legal custody of Veloso back to the Philippine government. Since her return to the country, she has been held at the Correctional Institution for WomenClick to open side panel for more information in Mandaluyong City.