Philippines weighs pardon for death row inmate repatriated from Indonesia

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr is weighing an absolute pardon for Mary Jane Veloso, a former death row inmate detained since her 2010 conviction for drug trafficking in Indonesia.

“The Office of the President is seriously considering granting an absolute pardon to Mary Jane Veloso on humanitarian grounds in support of the government’s commitment to protecting Filipino migrant workers,” lawmaker Albert Garcia said on Wednesday, as quoted by the Philippine Daily Inquirer. “There will be an announcement in a few days.”

Palace press officer Claire Castro confirmed the report on the same day, according to the Philippine Star, but declined to provide further details.

“I am not the one authorised to disclose them at this time,” Castro said.