‘Mabuting dumaan sa legal’: Mary Jane Veloso gives advice to future OFWs

AN OFW'S PLIGHT. Former overseas Filipino worker Mary Jane Veloso narrates her experiences during a press conference at the Department of Justice on October 1, 2026.

Rappler

‘Sana po 'tong pag-share ko po ng aking kaso ay maging inspirasyon po sa iba na para po hindi na po sila matulad sa akin, para wala na pong pangalawang Mary Jane na makakaranas ng ganito,’ she says

AT A GLANCE

• Mary Jane Veloso, a former overseas Filipino worker, advises potential OFWs to avoid illegal recruiters.
• After her recent release, Veloso plans to look into livelihood opportunities and continue her education.

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MANILA, Philippines – Mary Jane Veloso told those who want to become overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to avoid illegal recruiters and ensure that they undergo the legal process for working abroad.

Veloso, a 41-year-old former OFW, gave the advice in a press conference at the Department of Justice (DOJ) in Manila on Thursday, October 1, days after her release from prison.

“Wala pong masama na mangarap. Wala pong masama na gusto natin maiahon ang ating mga pamilya sa hirap. Pero kung ako po, mabuti pong dumaan tayo sa legal na paraan,” she said.

(There’s nothing wrong with having a dream. There’s nothing wrong with having the desire to lift your family out of poverty. But for me, it’s better that we undergo the legal process.)

Veloso, who was supposed to work as an OFW in Malaysia, was arrested in Indonesia in 2010 as she was allegedly duped by recruiters into becoming a drug mule. (READ: What you should know about the case of Mary Jane Veloso)

Indonesian airport authorities found 2.6 kilograms of heroin hidden inside the lining of her suitcase, which was allegedly given to her by her recruiters. 

“Huwag po natin hayaan na maengganyo po tayo dahil po mayroong free visa, na kesyo ‘pag free visa madali lang makahanap ng trabaho, mabilis lang makaalis,” Veloso said. 

(Let’s not be blinded by the offer of a free visa, thinking that would make it easy to find a job and quickly leave the country.)

To prevent getting into danger, she reminded Filipinos to turn to the Department of Migrant Workers, which can help in giving instructions and information on legitimate job offers in their target country.

“Sana po ‘tong pag-share ko po ng aking kaso ay maging inspirasyon po sa iba na para po hindi na po sila matulad sa akin, para wala na pong pangalawang Mary Jane na makakaranas ng ganito,” Veloso said.

(I hope that in sharing my case, it would inspire others so that they wouldn’t end up like me, so that there would be no second Mary Jane.)

Indonesia granted Veloso a last-minute reprieve in 2015, allowing her to narrowly escape execution for drug trafficking.

In December 2024, Veloso was repatriated to the Philippines, but was still detained at the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City. Her life was spared at that point because the country has no death penalty.

It took a year and nine months before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. pardoned the Filipina. She walked free and returned to her home province of Nueva Ecija last Saturday, September 26. 

Backstory of pardon

Under local anti-human trafficking laws, the Philippines followed the principle of “non-punishment” for human trafficking victims, which was applicable also to Veloso’s case, according to Justice Undersecretary Nicholas Felix Ty.

And while this was successfully applied to her case, Ty said this should not be seen by Filipinos as a signal to be deceived in other countries and think they will be saved because they are supposedly human trafficking victims.

“We are really happy that Mary Jane returned home, but this should not be seen as a reason for others to follow her path. Let us not forget that before we reached this day, Mary Jane went through so much. And it was not easy to bring her home and for her to be pardoned,” he said in Filipino.

According to the DOJ, it officially recommended to Marcos on May 12 that he exercise his constitutional authority to grant executive clemency to Veloso.

But discussions on the pardon, and in effect, the release of Veloso, had already started in 2024 following her repatriation, said Justice Undersecretary Deo Marco.

Among the considerations taken into account were the continued enforcement of Veloso’s sentence, the circumstances of her case, and the possible perspective of Indonesia.

Marco said that after Veloso’s transfer in 2024, it was already reported that Indonesia would respect Marcos’ decision regarding her case. (READ: In unique deal, Indonesia gives Marcos discretion to pardon Mary Jane Veloso)

What’s next for Mary Jane?

A day after Veloso’s release, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) provided P30,000 as cash aid to Veloso, and another P20,000 to her parents. Her two sons will also be given P10,000 each.

According to the DSWD, Veloso expressed interest in setting up a sari-sari store when she was assessed for the agency’s livelihood assistance program.

But Veloso also said on Thursday that she really wants to have capital to buy farmland since Nueva Ecija is an agricultural province, adding that she still lacks the skills to sell clothing or go into a retail business.

She also wants to finish junior high school through the Department of Education’s Alternative Learning System, which she started while inside the CIW.

As she returns to ordinary life with her family, Veloso said she would still try to help others.

“Mayroon na po tayong social media din po ngayon. Kaya kahit nasa bahay, kung gusto mo talagang magbigay ng support sa kanila para hindi sila mapahamak, kaya naman po nating gawin ‘yon,” she told reporters. 

(We have social media now. Even if you’re just staying at home, if you really want to give support to others so that they won’t be put in danger, I think I can do that.) – Rappler.com