MANILA – The family and supporters of detained former overseas Filipino worker (OFW) Mary Jane Veloso on Thursday appealed to the Supreme Court (SC) to fast-track proceedings against her recruiters and traffickers.

In a letter, Cesar and Celia Veloso, Mary Jane’s parents, asked the Court to act on pending matters in the lower court that have delayed their daughter from testifying in her case.

Veloso’s alleged recruiters, Maria Cristina Sergio and Julius Lacanilao, are facing charges of estafa and qualified trafficking before the Sto. Domingo, Nueva Ecija Regional Trial Court Branch 89. The two were sentenced to life imprisonment in 2020 for the illegal recruitment of other individuals.

On June 11, the trial court granted the motions filed by both the prosecution and the defense to hold hearings at the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong, where both Maria and Mary Jane are detained. The order was forwarded to the Supreme Court administrator for appropriate action.

“In view of the exceptional circumstances and the compelling humanitarian considerations attendant to this case, we respectfully request the prompt and favorable action of your Office. Such action would substantially advance the interest of justice and provide critical relief to Ms. Veloso and her family,” private prosecutor Julian Oliva said in a separate letter.

The Veloso family also appealed to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for clemency.

Veloso was arrested in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, in 2010 after 2.6 kilograms of heroin were found in her luggage. She was convicted of drug trafficking and sentenced to death.

In September 2022, President Marcos raised Veloso’s case with then-Indonesian President Joko Widodo during his first state visit to Indonesia.

On Nov. 19, 2024, the Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the Philippine and Indonesian governments had discussed transferring Veloso to a detention facility in Manila.

A day later, Marcos announced that Veloso would be repatriated to the Philippines from Indonesia.

On Dec. 18, 2024, Veloso arrived in the country and was brought to the CIW to serve the remainder of her sentence. (PNA)