No Execution for Mary Jane until all Legal Procedures have been Concluded –DFA
Filipino death row convict Mary Jane Veloso, who is facing execution in Indonesia for smuggling large quantities of drugs, will not be executed until all legal procedures are completed, a ranking Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) official said Tuesday.
Lawyer Noel Fernandez, special assistant at the DFA’s migrant workers affairs office, said this was the assurance given to the Philippine government by Indonesia’s attorney general as Manila prepares to seek a second judicial review of Veloso’s case after Jakarta’s Supreme Court denied the Filipino’s petition for reconsideration.
The judicial review, which was filed by the Philippine government last month on behalf of the 30-year-old Veloso, is intended to commute her death sentence to life imprisonment.
Asked by reporters if the execution will be carried out following the Supreme Court’s rejection of appeal for review, Fernandez said: “Our guidance is the public pronouncement of the Indonesian government that they would address all legal issues first.”
“That’s the public assurance of Indonesia Attorney General that they would let the legal process continue until all legal process is concluded,” he added.
Five years after Veloso was apprehended in Yogyakarta for possession of 2.6 kilograms of heroin in her luggage, the Indonesian Supreme Court early this year upheld a lower court’s death sentence on her.
Under Indonesian laws, all death penalty cases are subject to judicial review despite a Supreme Court ruling.
However, Manila’s appeal was denied by the High Court last month, but Philippine officials said it will seek a second review as soon as it receives a copy of the court’s written decision.
“We need to know the Supreme Court’s basis for rejecting our appeal. We will determine our next course of action after receiving the document,” he said.
Family’s appeal
Veloso’s family, in a press conference in front of the DFA’s main office in Roxas Boulevard, made an emotional appeal to President Benigno Aquino III “to exert all efforts” to save Mary Jane from death penalty.
“Mr. President, we are begging you. Please help my daughter. She is innocent. She is not a member of the syndicate. She is a victim,” said Celia Veloso, Mary Jane’s mother, in a tearful plea to the President.
Also present were Mary Jane’s older sister, Maritess, and sons Daniel, 12, and Darren, 6. They were accompanied by Filipino migrant worker group, Migrante.
In the same press conference, Darren, who was only an infant when her mother was imprisoned in Indonesia, dedicated a Filipino song, “Maghintay Ka Lamang (Just Wait),” to Mary Jane. It was the same song he sang to Mary Jane when he visited her in prison in Indonesia February this year.
“My sister doesn’t deserve to die,” said Maritess. “She’s a God-fearing and loving mother to her sons. A good sister and daughter. Her only mistake is that she trusted a friend.”
Mary Jane claimed she was tricked by a neighbor and childhood friend into bringing the suitcase loaded with prohibited drugs.
“Mr. President, show to us that you are a good President. Help my sister. Save her from execution,” Maritess said.
Migrante chairperson Gary Martiniez accused the government of foot-dragging and of not doing enough to save Veloso from death.
Fernandez refuted Martinez’s claim, saying the Philippine government has been providing assistance to Veloso from the time of her arrest, during and after the trial.