Manila: The family and supporters of detained former overseas Filipino worker (OFW) Mary Jane Veloso have appealed to the Supreme Court (SC) to expedite the legal proceedings against her recruiters and traffickers. This plea comes as Veloso continues to face delays in taking the witness stand due to pending matters in the lower court.
According to Philippines News Agency, Mary Jane’s parents, Cesar and Celia Veloso, submitted a letter urging the court to take immediate action on these delays. The alleged recruiters, Maria Cristina Sergio and Julius Lacanilao, are facing charges of estafa and qualified trafficking in the Sto. Domingo, Nueva Ecija Regional Trial Court Branch 89. Both were previously sentenced to life imprisonment in 2020 for the illegal recruitment of other individuals.
On June 11, the Regional Trial Court granted motions from both the prosecution and defense to conduct hearings at the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong, where both Sergio and Veloso are detained. This court order was subsequently referred to the Supreme Court administrator for further action.
In a separate letter, private prosecutor Julian Oliva emphasized the urgent need for judicial intervention, citing “exceptional circumstances and compelling humanitarian considerations” that warrant a prompt resolution of the case. The Veloso family has also sought clemency from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
Veloso was arrested in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, in 2010 after authorities discovered 2.6 kilograms of heroin in her suitcase. She was convicted of drug trafficking and sentenced to death. In September 2022, during President Marcos’ first state visit to Indonesia, he discussed Veloso’s case with then-Indonesian President Joko Widodo.
Further diplomatic efforts led to discussions between the Philippine and Indonesian governments on transferring Veloso to a detention facility in Manila. On November 20, 2024, President Marcos confirmed that Veloso would be repatriated to the Philippines, where she arrived on December 18, 2024, to serve the remainder of her sentence at the CIW.
