Former overseas Filipino worker Mary Jane Veloso, together with her family and supporters, attends a thanksgiving Mass at the Siena College Chapel in Quezon City on Saturday, September 26, 2026, following her release from detention after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. granted her an absolute pardon. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News
MANILA — The Department of Social Welfare and Development said its assessment is underway to provide Mary Jane Veloso sustainable livelihood following her release from detention.
In-assess po ng ating social workers si Mary Jane kasama ng kanyang mga family member – ang kanyang mga magulang at kanyang mga anak. Binigyan natin ng tig-10 libong pisong cash relief assistance and ngayon ay ongoing ang assessment para sa sustainable livelihood program," DSWD Spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao told state-run media PTV in a phone interview Monday, September 28.
Veloso was freed on September 25 after more than 16 years of imprisonment, after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. granted her absolute pardon.
She earlier said she wants to work and earn for her family, but she does not yet have a job or a definite business plan.
Mary Jane Veloso's first morning home: When freedom finally begins to feel real
Dumlao said they are now in the social preparation stage for Veloso, where her knowledge and skills are being assessed to ensure that she can sustain the micro enterprise development to be introduced to her as she reintegrates into society.
Community members are also part of Veloso's "comprehensive" reintegration process, according to Dumlao, including consultation with barangay assembly.
"Mahalaga 'yung pagtanggap ng komunidad kay Mary Jane lalong-lalo na 'yung kanyang immediate community dun sa barangay. Mahalaga na hindi siya ma-discriminate at buo puso siyang tatanggapin ng kanya pong mga kapitbahay kasi 'yung kanyang pag-uumpisang muli ay may kaakibat 'yan na pagtanggap, 'yung hindi siya maja-judge ng kanyang environment," the DSWD official stated.
Veloso was arrested in Indonesia in 2010 after being duped into carrying a suitcase lined with 2.6 kilograms of heroin. She spent nearly 15 years on death row before her execution was stayed in 2015 when Philippine authorities recognized her as a human trafficking victim.
She was later repatriated to the Philippines to serve out her sentence before receiving the presidential pardon.
Last Saturday, the Department of Migrant Workers said it is deploying a team to Nueva Ecija to lay the groundwork for comprehensive reintegration assistance for Veloso.
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