Death Penalty News

A Filipino woman who spent 14 years on death row in Indonesia arrived in Manila on Wednesday, reuniting with her family after narrowly escaping a firing squad in 2015. Convicted in 2010 of carrying 2.6kg heroin hidden in a suitcase, Mary Jane Veloso claimed she was duped by a recruiter who promised her a job abroad. The single mother’s conviction and death sentence sparked outrage in the Philippines, prompting advocacy and diplomatic efforts to save her from execution. “I am grateful to God who has answered my prayers. I will return to my country and I believe that God has a beautiful plan for my life,” Veloso, now 39, said. “Thank you, Indonesia, I love Indonesia.”

MANILA, Philippines — The case of Mary Jane Veloso, a Filipina on death row in Indonesia for drug trafficking, has spanned over a decade and remains one of the most high-profile legal battles involving an overseas Filipino worker. RELATED |  Philippines | Mary Jane Veloso returns to joyous welcome from family after narrowly escaping Indonesian firing squad Veloso was arrested on April 25, 2010, at Adisucipto International Airport in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, after she was found in possession of more than 2.6 kilograms of heroin. She was sentenced to death in October – just six months after her arrest. Indonesia’s Supreme Court upheld the penalty in May 2011.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has secured a commitment from Indonesian President Joko Widodo to review the case of a Filipina migrant worker on death row for drug trafficking, a Palace official said on Thursday. In a Viber message to Malacañang reporters, Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil confirmed that Marcos discussed Veloso’s case during his meeting with his Indonesian counterpart.

The Filipina, whose supporters say is a victim of human trafficking, has been on death row in Indonesia for more than a decade. Jakarta, Indonesia – For more than a decade, Mary Jane Veloso has been held in a prison in the Indonesian city of Yogyakarta awaiting execution after being found guilty of drug trafficking. This year, her family got to see her for the first time in five years.

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 27) — The Philippine government intends to discuss with Malaysia later this year the issue of dozens of Filipinos facing the death penalty there, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Thursday. During the last day of his state visit to Malaysia, Marcos told reporters that he expects the issue to be taken up during the two countries' Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) in October. "The joint commission mechanism is something that we use to raise any issues that come up between the Philippines and Malaysia, and it is one of them," the president noted.

MANILA, Philippines — The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has pardoned three convicted Filipinos – two of them on death row due to drug trafficking, Malacañang announced the other night. President Marcos had phoned and thanked UAE President Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Friday for granting his request to pardon the three Filipinos, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Cheloy Garafil said. In a statement, the PCO said it was Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. who first informed Marcos about the pardons late Thursday after receiving a message from UAE Ambassador to the Philippines Mohamed Obaid Salem Alqataam Alzaabi.

Marcos is  pursuing all legal remedies including asking for her pardon, commutation of sentence, or even extradition to serve her sentence in the Philippines MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday said he has asked Indonesian President Joko Widodo to reexamine the case of jailed overseas Filipino worker Mary Jane Veloso, who has been on Indonesia's death row over drug-related charges. In a chance interview with reporters, Marcos said he mentioned Veloso’s case in his talk with Widodo on the sidelines of the 42nd ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. “Sabi ko (I said) the best that we can do I suppose is for the Indonesian authorities to reexamine the case para naman as a favor to the Philippines. ‘Yun lang ang napag-usapan namin (That's the only thing that we talked about). Not much more than that,” Marcos said.

(UCA News) — Philippine lawmakers on Oct. 5 began tackling a bid to revive the death penalty in the form of a top priority bill presented to the Senate. The death penalty bill is included in a list of 20 priority pieces of legislation to go before lawmakers. With the session hall opened, the public can listen to lawmakers debate issues surrounding the death penalty. “We will once again argue whether the state has the right to take the life of erring individuals. Our nation’s view of morality and how far we’re willing to be affected by it will once again be tested,” Senator Win Gatchalian told reporters on Oct. 5. He admitted debating the issue would have an effect on how the Church hierarchy would react and treat lawmakers who support the death penalty. “Of course, lawmakers will always have critics, especially those who will vote in favor. Church opposition is always there. But I think members of the Philippine Senate are mature enough to admit that what is legal is not necessarily mo...

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate will clarify the stand of President Marcos on the possibility of imposing death penalty on high-level drug trafficking, Sen. Ronald dela Rosa said. During an interview Wednesday night with One News’ “The Chiefs” aired over Cignal/TV5, Dela Rosa said that through the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office (PLLO), the Senate would inquire about the stand of the President. “Granting he really doesn’t want the death penalty, then it will have a huge impact on the Senate,” Dela Rosa said.  “Chances are we might not be interested in pursuing the measure if that is his stand. What’s the use of trying to craft a bill and belaboring ourselves up to third reading and at the end, Malacañang will just veto it? We will clarify that.” Dela Rosa said that in 2016 there was information that the President was reportedly supportive of the imposition of death penalty for high-level drug trafficking, but not for heinous crimes. “We respect everyone’s stand, I have my ...

MALACAÑANG yesterday said government will remain silent on its request for executive clemency for Filipino Mary Jane Veloso, who is on death row in Indonesia for drug charges, until Indonesia has made a decision. Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles announced on Tuesday that the request has been made by the Department of Foreign Affairs through its counterpart. In a briefing yesterday from Singapore where President Marcos Jr. was for a 2-day state visit, Angeles said the President will also “make no statement until we have some kind of further development on Miss Veloso’s case.” “For the moment, things are still moving. Since it was on September 4 only that our Foreign Affairs had brought the matter up to their local counterpart in Indonesia then… there’s no decision yet that’s made… for now there’s nothing final but we continue to look for solutions.” She said the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is overseeing the matter. DFA spokesperson Ambassador Maria Theresa Daza said the depar...

Mary Jane Veloso was jailed and sentenced to death after unwittingly serving as a drug mule in 2010 The Philippines has sought an official pardon for a Filipino woman on death row for a drug felony in Indonesia during the ongoing state visit of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. The Department of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that the case of Mary Jane Veloso was raised during talks between Marcos and his Indonesian counterpart, President Joko Widodo. “President Marcos tasked the foreign affairs department to meet Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi with the hope of obtaining executive clemency. This is to mark the relationship of Indonesia with the new administration,” Marcos’ press secretary Trixie Alcala told reporters on Sept. 5. Alcala said while the negotiations for clemency were on the Philippine government would continue to provide consular services to Veloso and her family. “We will continue to take care of her because she is still a Filipino citizen and still entitled to d...

In line with his state visit to Indonesia, progressive groups on Sunday urged President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to appeal for the release of death row prisoner Mary Jane Veloso and bring her back home. Women’s group Gabriela reissued its call for Veloso’s immediate release through an appeal for clemency. “President Marcos Jr. should exhaust all means to urgently free Mary Jane Veloso, a fellow Filipina whom the Philippine government has repeatedly failed in many regards — from being unable to provide decent job opportunities here in the country which forced her into the diaspora, to failing to bring her home to her family after she was victimized by illegal recruiters,” Gabriela secretary general Clarice Palce said in a statement. “It's high time that Mary Jane Veloso be granted freedom and ensured justice." The group also argued that the Filipina’s case should “be prioritized as she has suffered years of injustice after falling victim to human trafficking.” Veloso has...

Anti-crime groups back efforts to push bill through Congress when Marcos becomes president At least 3 anti-crime groups in the Philippines are backing fresh calls to reinstate the death penalty for heinous crimes and drug lords. The Federation of the Anti-Illegal Drugs Campaign, together with the Anti-Crime Council of the Philippines and the Fight Drug Trade Movement, issued a joint statement on June 26 saying they would join efforts to push President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. into reinstating capital punishment, which was abolished in 2006 by former president Gloria Arroyo. “Our group has reached the conclusion that we need the death penalty to curb rising heinous crimes in the Philippines. Capital punishment provides benefits to society such as instilling fear into criminals, especially in a country where discipline is wanting,” the groups said. The call came after a recent survey revealed that more than 50 % of the population believed the death penalty was effective in p...

The sportsman-turned-politician has retired from boxing to focus on his presidential bid – but will he be punching above his weight? He is one of the greatest boxers of all time, but Manny Pacquiao faces his biggest battle yet as he fights to be president of the Philippines. The 42-year-old is already a controversial political figure thanks to his anti-LGBT remarks and support of the death penalty. Some also have doubts about his competency to lead the country, and have speculated that his retirement from boxing is largely down to a need to mend his poor political reputation. The boxing star has been a senator in the Philippines since 2016 and announced his retirement from his sport on 29 September after 26 years. “I just heard the final bell. Boxing is over,” he said. “I never thought this day would come.” Jean Encinas-Franco, associate professor of political science at the University of the Philippines Diliman, told i that Pacquiao is regarded an “absentee legislator” because he was ...