MANILA — Malacañang said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has not yet made a decision on possible clemency for detained former overseas Filipino worker (OFW) Mary Jane Veloso, as the Office of the Executive Secretary (OES) continues reviewing legal provisions and discussions with Indonesian authorities.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the matter remains under evaluation, particularly the minutes of meetings held with Indonesia, and stressed that the final decision rests with the President.

“Kanina lang po ay nakausap po natin mismo ang sa OES at sinasabi po nila na aaralin po kung ano pa iyong mga probisyon at kung ano ba iyong minutes of the meeting nila sa bansang Indonesia at prerogative pa rin po ng Pangulo ang masusunod (We just spoke with the Office of the Executive Secretary, and they said they are studying the relevant provisions and the minutes of their meeting with Indonesia, and that the President’s prerogative will ultimately prevail),” Castro said in a Palace press briefing.

Castro made the statement after questions were raised on whether a previous petition for clemency filed by Veloso’s family had already reached the President.

Veloso, in an open letter to her supporters, reiterated her appeal for clemency so she could finally be set free after more than 16 years of imprisonment for a crime she did not commit.

Veloso was arrested in Yogyakarta, Indonesia in 2010 after 2.6 kilograms of heroin were found in her suitcase. She was convicted of drug trafficking and sentenced to death, but later granted a last-minute reprieve after the Philippines informed the Indonesian government of her recruiters’ surrender.

In September 2022, Marcos discussed Veloso’s case with then-Indonesian President Joko Widodo during his first state visit to Indonesia. Over two years later, Marcos announced Veloso would be repatriated to the Philippines.

Veloso arrived in the Philippines on Dec. 18, 2024, and was brought straight to the Correctional Institute for Women to serve the remainder of her sentence.

Asked whether there are legal impediments preventing the President from granting clemency, Castro reiterated that the review is ongoing.

“Aaralin po nila iyong pinakahuling minutes of the meeting nila with Indonesia at titingnan po nila kung walang anumang malalabag na batas at, muli, prerogative po ng Pangulo kung anuman po ang kaniyang igagawad dito (They will study the latest minutes of their meeting with Indonesia and determine whether there would be any violation of the law, and again, whatever is granted will depend on the President’s prerogative),” she said.

(PNA)