Mary Jane Veloso reunites with her family after arriving at the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong on December 18, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/FileMANILA — The administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte almost killed the hopes of saving former OFW Mary Jane Veloso's life, the Palace said on Monday.
Veloso, who had been incarcerated in Yogyakarta, Indonesia for nearly 15 years before being brought home, was finally set free by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s absolute pardon, revealed last Friday.
TIMELINE: Mary Jane Veloso's decade-long ordeal from Indonesian death row to absolute pardon
The Palace also acknowledged the efforts of then President Noynoy Aquino, who had appealed to save Mary Jane's life.
"Una siyang ipinaglaban ni dating Pangulong Noynoy Aquino pero nawala ang liwanag at pag-asa nang hindi tinutulan at sinang-ayunan pa ni dating Pangulong Duterte ang pagbitay kay Veloso," Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said.
Former President Duterte earlier said he would respect Indonesia's decision if they would execute Veloso, who was on death row at the time.
"Ngunit hindi natutulog ang Diyos dahil umabot ito sa kamay ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. at nasagip ang isang buhay dahil hindi lang pinawalang saysay ang death penalty kung hindi pinayagan pang makauwi si Veloso sa Pilipinas sa hiling ito ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. at bunga ng masinsin at diplomatikong ugnayan ng Pilipinas at Indonesia," Castro added.
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Several agencies have extended aid to the Veloso family, with the Department of Social Welfare and Development providing P30,000 in cash relief assistance for Mary Jane and P10,000 for her parents, Castro said.
Mary Jane's children are also set to receive P10,000 each from the DSWD, Castro said, noting that the government is assisting the former OFW to establish her livelihood.
The Department of Migrant Workers meanwhile offered psychosocial counseling, livelihood kits, and enterprise capital and skills training.
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