Politics · Philippines Bureau
Presidential pardon being seriously considered for Mary Jane Veloso
The Office of the President is weighing an absolute pardon for Mary Jane Veloso, who has been imprisoned for over a decade on drug trafficking charges, a House lawmaker disclosed Wednesday during budget deliberations.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA — Mary Jane Veloso may be headed toward freedom through a presidential pardon, according to statements made during House of Representatives budget hearings this week.
Bataan Representative Albert Garcia revealed that the Office of the President is seriously considering granting absolute pardon to Veloso, who has been in detention for more than ten years following her conviction on drug trafficking allegations.
Garcia made the disclosure during sponsorship and plenary deliberations on the proposed 2024 budget allocation for the Office of the President. The development marks a potential breakthrough in the long-running case that has drawn significant public and international attention.
Veloso's case has been among the most high-profile criminal convictions in the Philippines in recent years. The possibility of a presidential pardon would represent a dramatic turn in her legal situation, though no official announcement has been made by Malacañan Palace regarding the status of any pardon consideration.